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Veritas NetBackup™ for SAP

Administrator’s Guide

for Windows

Release 6.5

12308322
Veritas NetBackup for SAP
Administrator’s Guide
Copyright © 2007 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.

NetBackup 6.5

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Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
NetBackup for SAP features ...............................................................................12

NetBackup for SAP overview .............................................................................13

Technical overview ......................................................................................13

Sequence of operation .................................................................................15

NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases ..................................................15

NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases .................................................19

Chapter 2 Verifying prerequisites and registering the license key


Verifying the installation prerequisites ...........................................................21

Operating system and platform compatibility ........................................21

NetBackup software .....................................................................................22

Database software ........................................................................................22

Cluster software ...........................................................................................23

Registering the license key .................................................................................23

Copying NetBackup for SAP with backint

(Oracle databases without RMAN only) ....................................................23

Chapter 3 Configuration
User interface terminology notes .....................................................................25

Configuring the Maximum jobs per client .......................................................26

Configuring a backup policy for a database .....................................................27

Adding a new policy .....................................................................................27

Adding schedules .........................................................................................28

Adding clients ...............................................................................................33

Adding backup selections ...........................................................................34

Creating scripts ....................................................................................................36

Modifying the backup scripts .....................................................................37

Script parameters ........................................................................................39

Enabling database user authentication ............................................................40

Modifying the configuration files .....................................................................41

Files to configure .........................................................................................41

Relationships between files ........................................................................41

Modifying the initSID.utl file .....................................................................42

Modifying the initSID.sap file

(NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases only) ............................... 43

Modifying the bsi.env file

(NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases) ...................................... 45

Testing configuration settings .......................................................................... 48

Testing multiple drives and files ....................................................................... 49

Chapter 4 Using NetBackup for SAP


Performing a backup ........................................................................................... 51

Method 1: Using Netbackup schedules to start an SAP backup ........... 51

Method 2: Using BRTools to start an SAP backup (for Oracle

database only) ....................................................................................... 52

Performing an archive ........................................................................................ 56

Method 1: Using the NetBackup multiple copies feature ...................... 56

Method 2: Using two brarchive commands in sequence ....................... 57

Performing a restore ........................................................................................... 58

Using the SAPDBA utility (NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases

only) ....................................................................................................... 58

Redirecting a restore to a different client (NetBackup for SAP on

Oracle databases only) ........................................................................ 58

Disaster recovery using BRRECOVER ...................................................... 61

Restarting failed backups and restores ............................................................ 61

Restarting backups ...................................................................................... 61

Restarting restores ...................................................................................... 66

Chapter 5 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client


Using NetBackup for SAP to backup large databases .................................... 71

NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client overview ....................................... 73

Snapshot backup .......................................................................................... 73

Instant recovery ........................................................................................... 74

Off-host backup ............................................................................................ 74

RMAN proxy copy ........................................................................................ 74

RMAN stream-based backups .................................................................... 74

RMAN proxy and RMAN stream-based backups intermixed ................ 74

How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work? ................................... 75

Sequence of operations: backup ................................................................ 75

Sequence of operation: restore .................................................................. 79

Database objects that are supported by advanced backup methods ... 80

Configuring snapshot backups .......................................................................... 80

Configuration requirements ...................................................................... 80

Configuring an SAP policy with Snapshot Client backup methods ..... 81

Restoring data from a snapshot backup .......................................................... 84

Restoring individual files ........................................................................... 84

Restoring volumes and file systems using snapshot rollback ..............84

Additional snapshot client configuration information .................................86

Backup types .................................................................................................87

Backup scripts ..............................................................................................88

Additional configuration that is required for brbackup using

RMAN proxy .........................................................................................88

Intermixing RMAN stream and RMAN proxy backups ..........................88

Performing user-directed backups ............................................................89

Chapter 6 NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases


Configuration .......................................................................................................91

Creating a backup medium .................................................................................92

Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to perform backups and

restores ..........................................................................................................92

Performing a backup ...................................................................................93

Performing a query ......................................................................................93

Performing a restore ...................................................................................94

Performing backups and restores using parallel medium groups .......94

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting
Setting the debug level ........................................................................................97

NetBackup reports ...............................................................................................98

Enabling logging ..........................................................................................98

Accessing the log files .................................................................................99

NetBackup server reports .........................................................................100

sapdba logs and messages

(Oracle-based SAP environments only) ..................................................100

Backup and restore log files .....................................................................100

Archive log files ..........................................................................................101

Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores .............................101

Appendix A backint command line 103

Appendix B backint -i in_file contents 107

Appendix C backint -o out_file contents


Information returned for a backup .................................................................109

Information returned for a restore .................................................................109

Information returned for an inquiry ..............................................................110

Appendix D Environment variables 111

Appendix E NetBackup configuration GUI settings 113

Appendix F Parameters used in initSID.utl


Parameter summary .......................................................................................... 115

Parameters .......................................................................................................... 117

backup_stream_buffersize size ................................................... 117

client client_machine_name ......................................................... 117

custom_sort_file file_path ......................................................... 118

drives number_of_drives ................................................................ 119

inquiry_query_period months ........................................................ 120

policy policy_name ............................................................................ 120

policy2 policy_name ......................................................................... 121

restore_stream_buffersize size ................................................. 121

retry_backup number_of_retries ............................................... 121

schedule schedule_name .................................................................. 121

schedule2 schedule_name ................................................................ 122

server server_name ............................................................................ 122

sort_backup_type value .................................................................. 122

switch_list control_file_path ................................................. 126

switch_log control_file_path .................................................... 126

switch_sem control_file_path .................................................... 127

Appendix G Using NetBackup for SAP to back up SAPDB


Creating backup environment configuration files ....................................... 130

backint for SAPDB configuration file .................................................. 130

Adapter program configuration file ....................................................... 131

NetBackup for SAP configuration file, initSID.utl ............................... 133

Defining a backup medium in SAPDB ............................................................ 133

Performing a backup ......................................................................................... 133

Performing a restore ......................................................................................... 134

Appendix H Configuring split mirror backups


Local-host snapshot method: VxVM (Solaris SPARC, HP-UX, Windows

2000/2003) .................................................................................................. 135

Requirements ............................................................................................. 135

Configuration ............................................................................................. 135

Local-host snapshot method: VSS (Windows 2003 only) ............................ 136

Offhost alternate client: flashsnap method .................................................. 136

Requirements ............................................................................................. 137

Configuration ............................................................................................. 137

Appendix I Differences in NetBackup for SAP in release 6.x 139

Index 141

10

Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter contains the following topics:
■ “NetBackup for SAP features” on page 12
■ “NetBackup for SAP overview” on page 13
NetBackup for SAP integrates the database backup and recovery capabilities of
SAP with the backup and recovery management capabilities of NetBackup.
NetBackup for SAP supports SAP environments based on the following
databases:
■ Oracle databases. In an Oracle environment, you can use the Oracle database
either with or without the recovery manager (RMAN).
■ SAP DB and MaxDBTM databases. This documentation describes using
NetBackup for SAP with both SAP DB and MaxDB databases. For readability,
the remainder of this manual uses only the term MaxDB to describe these
database platforms. The SAP DB name refers to the 7.4 and earlier releases.
The MaxDB name refers to the 7.5 and later releases.
This chapter explains the differences and similarities between using NetBackup
for SAP in each environment. For example, one major difference is that the SAP
tools are supported only for Oracle databases.

Note: This manual differentiates between SAP on an Oracle database and SAP on
a MaxDB database only when necessary to explain differences between using
NetBackup for SAP with these specific databases. For most tasks, NetBackup for
SAP operates the same way in each environment.
12 Introduction
NetBackup for SAP features

NetBackup for SAP features


Table 1-1 shows NetBackup for SAP’s main features and introduces some terms
used in the NetBackup for SAP documentation.

Table 1-1 NetBackup for SAP features and descriptions

Feature Description

Media and device All devices supported by Media Manager are available to
management NetBackup for SAP.

Scheduling facilities NetBackup scheduling facilities on the master server can be used
to schedule automatic and unattended SAP backups.
This also lets you choose the times when these operations can
occur. For example, to prevent interference with normal daytime
operations, you can schedule your database backups to occur only
at night.

Multiplexed backups NetBackup for SAP lets you take advantage of NetBackup’s
and restores multiplexing capabilities. Multiplexing directs multiple data
streams to one backup device, thereby reducing the time necessary
to complete the operation.

Transparent SAP All backups and restores run simultaneously and transparently
and regular file without any action from the NetBackup administrator.
system backup and
The database administrator can run database backup and restore
restore operations
operations through NetBackup. Alternatively, if you are using
NetBackup for SAP on an Oracle database, you can use SAP tools as
if NetBackup were not present.
An administrator or any other authorized user can use NetBackup
to run database backups and restores.

Sharing the same It is possible to share the same devices and media used for other
storage units used backups or to give SAP exclusive use of certain devices and media.
for other file NetBackup for SAP can use Media Manager, disk, and PureDisk
backups storage units.

Centralized and From the NetBackup master server, you can schedule database
networked backup backups or start them manually for any client. The SAP databases
operations can also reside on hosts that are different from the devices on
which NetBackup stores the backups.
Introduction 13
NetBackup for SAP overview

Table 1-1 NetBackup for SAP features and descriptions (continued)

Feature Description

Graphical user NetBackup provides the following graphical user interfaces for
interfaces client users and administrators:
■ NetBackup administration console for Java
■ NetBackup administration console for Windows
A database administrator or NetBackup administrator can start
backup or restore operations for SAP from the NetBackup
graphical user interface on the master server.

Parallel backup and NetBackup for SAP supports the parallel backup and restore
restore operations capabilities of the SAP tools. For example, this permits the user to
run more than one tape device at a time for a single SAP backup or
restore, thereby reducing the time necessary to complete the
operation.

Compression Compression increases backup performance over the network and


reduces the size of the backup image that NetBackup writes to the
storage unit.
NetBackup for SAP supports compression for the following types
of backups:
■ Stream-based backups through both MaxDB and RMAN.
■ File-based backups through backint.
■ Snapshot Client backups through backint.
NetBackup for SAP does not support compression for snapshot
client backups through RMAN.

For more information on general NetBackup terminology, see the NetBackup


Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

NetBackup for SAP overview


The following sections provide a technical overview and explain the sequence of
operation for NetBackup for SAP.

Technical overview
Figure 1-1 shows the major components in a NetBackup for SAP configuration.
The server that is hosting the Oracle or the MaxDB database must be a
NetBackup client. It must also have NetBackup for SAP licensed.
14 Introduction
NetBackup for SAP overview

Figure 1-1 NetBackup for SAP environment on an Oracle or MaxDB database

System hosting the Oracle or MaxDB database

NetBackup for SAP supplies:


– backint Interface
Oracle or MaxDB database – Sample script files

Additional required NetBackup software:


– NetBackup client

Network (TCP/IP)

NetBackup master server Storage unit


or remote media server

NetBackup software:
– NetBackup master server
– NetBackup media server
(if system is a media server)

NetBackup for SAP assumes either an Oracle or a MaxDB database as the


underlying database. The following additional components are present
depending on the underlying database:
■ In an Oracle environment, the SAP tools perform database-related tasks.
The brbackup, brarchive, and brrestore utilities communicate with
NetBackup through the NetBackup for SAP backint interface. The sapdba
component of SAP tools accesses the backup catalog used by NetBackup in
order to determine the status of the valid backups.
■ In a MaxDB environment, you initiate backups and restores through the
MaxDB administrative interface. This interface can be the database
manager graphical user interface (DBM GUI), the database manager
command line interface (DBM CLI), and the Web database manager (Web
DBM).
Introduction 15
NetBackup for SAP overview

Sequence of operation
NetBackup users or schedules start database backups or restores by selecting an
SAP script. A NetBackup process called bphdb starts the SAP script on the client
if the backup is initiated by a policy on the master server. The SAP application
then starts the requested operation on the databases.
Figure 1-2 shows the sequence of operation.

Figure 1-2 NetBackup for SAP operations

SAP tools or
MaxDB administrative NetBackup for NetBackup
Database interface (DBM CLI) SAP XBSA API
files backint

Script Command line

bphdb
NetBackup client

NetBackup master server


Scheduler

NetBackup

For a backup, brbackup calls the NetBackup for SAP backint interface. The

backint interface calls the XBSA API to interface with NetBackup.

A restore works similarly except that the NetBackup for SAP backint interface

calls the XBSA API, causing NetBackup to retrieve the data from secondary

storage and send it to the client.

NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases


The following sections provide an overview of the software in a NetBackup for
SAP on Oracle database environment. You can use NetBackup for SAP on Oracle
databases either with or without the recovery manager (RMAN). The following
subsections explain the components in Oracle environments with and without
RMAN.
16 Introduction
NetBackup for SAP overview

Using NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases without RMAN


Figure 1-3 shows the components found in a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle
database environment.

Figure 1-3 Software components in a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database


environment

SAP environment

Oracle
database

NetBackup for SAP NetBackup


brbackup

sapdba brrestore
backint Interface XBSA API
brarchive
brconnect
SAP tools

Using NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases with RMAN


NetBackup for SAP implements the Oracle defined SBT interface, which
integrates the SAP tools with RMAN. You do not need to use RMAN to use
NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases, but the benefits of using RMAN
backups are as follows:
■ RMAN supports incremental backups, which are backups of only those
blocks that have changed since the previous backup. This reduces the
number of blocks that are backed up. Unused and unchanged database
blocks are not backed up.
■ RMAN detects logical errors in database blocks during backup processing.
■ The BEGIN BACKUP and END BACKUP commands are not needed for online
backups because RMAN performs a block-by-block check to verify data
consistency. This reduces the amount of redo log information.
■ You can use RMAN’s verify command to verify backups.
Introduction 17
NetBackup for SAP overview

Figure 1-4 shows a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database environment that
includes RMAN.

Figure 1-4 Software components in a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database


environment with RMAN

SAP tools Oracle database

Phase 2 Phase 1

RMAN Oracle server


libobk (liborasap)
(NetBackup for Oracle)

Control files backint

NetBackup for SAP NetBackup


Profiles
Log files

Storage unit

Local disk

If you are in a NetBackup for SAP on Oracle database environment with RMAN,
the backup consists of two phases:
■ Phase 1 backs up the Oracle database files.
■ Phase 2 backs up the SAP control, log, and configuration files.
18 Introduction
NetBackup for SAP overview

SAP tools overview


The SAP environment consists of many modules and applications. One
component is the SAP tools. You can use the SAP tools whether or not you also
use RMAN. Table 1-2 shows the software included in the SAP tools.

Table 1-2 SAP tools software

Component Function

sapdba sapdba is a menu-driven utility, with menus designed to reflect


the user’s point of view.
sapdba provides easy access to brbackup, brarchive, and
brrestore for database backups and restores. The tool can
restore a backup of an entire database or reset the database to a
previous state.

brbackup This command brings database servers online or offline, checks


the status of SAP files, and places database tablespaces into
BACKUP mode to guarantee their data consistency. The brbackup
command provides online and offline backups. It also keeps a
profile and log of each backup.
brbackup uses the NetBackup software, through NetBackup for
SAP, for the following actions:
■ SAP data file backups
■ Data file and online log backups
■ Error handling

brarchive This command archives Oracle offline redo log files by


communicating with the NetBackup for SAP backint interface.
These files are copied by Oracle in its archiving directory. The
brarchive command ensures that duplicates of these logs are
available and that original files are not deleted prematurely. This
command also keeps a profile and log of each archive.

brrestore This command recovers database data files, control files, and
online redo log files through the NetBackup for SAP backint
interface. The brrestore command ensures that sufficient space
is available prior to restoring these files, and it removes files that
are overwritten during the recovery. This command also provides
a query mode.

SAP script This is a small script that contains SAP commands such as
brbackup and brrestore.
Introduction 19
NetBackup for SAP overview

NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases


Figure 1-5 shows the components found in a NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB
database environment.

Figure 1-5 Software components for a NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB database
environment

DBM CLI DBM GUI Web DBM

MaxDB server MaxDB Instance

Named pipes

NetBackup for SAP


(backint)

NetBackup
20 Introduction
NetBackup for SAP overview
Chapter 2
Verifying prerequisites
and registering the license
key
This chapter includes the following topics:
■ “Verifying the installation prerequisites” on page 21
■ “Registering the license key” on page 23
■ “Copying NetBackup for SAP with backint (Oracle databases without RMAN
only)” on page 23
Perform the procedures in this chapter before you configure NetBackup for SAP.

Verifying the installation prerequisites


NetBackup for SAP is installed with the NetBackup server and client software,
but you must confirm that the installation prerequisites in this section are met
before you enable the database agent.
These requirements apply for remote and local installations.

Operating system and platform compatibility


Verify that NetBackup for SAP is supported on your operating system or
platform.

To verify compatibility
1 Go to the technical support Web page: http://entsupport.symantec.com.
2 From the Product Lookup list, choose NetBackup Enterprise Server and
click on the > button.
22 Verifying prerequisites and registering the license key
Verifying the installation prerequisites

3 From the list on the right, click on Compatibility List.


4 In the list of documents, click Veritas NetBackup Enterprise Server (tm) x.x/
NetBackup Server x.x Database Agent Compatibility (Updated date).
For x.x, look for the current release. For date, look for the most recent date.
For information on supported cluster environments for NetBackup for SAP,
see NetBackup (tm) x.x Cluster Compatibility (updated date).
5 Click the link for the PDF document, which is a downloadable file that
enables you to view the supported database spreadsheet for this release.
6 Read the document and verify that the software in your environment is
compatible with the NetBackup and the database agent.

NetBackup software
Verify that the following requirements are met for the NetBackup server and
client software:
❏ The NetBackup server software is installed and operational on the
NetBackup server.
The NetBackup server platform can be any that NetBackup supports. For
installation information, see the NetBackup Installation Guide.
❏ The NetBackup client software is installed on the client that has the
databases you want to back up. This step also installs the database agent.
On Windows platforms, the database agent software is installed along with
the server and client software. The install_path\NetBackup directory
must exist on the client. For installation information, see the NetBackup
Installation Guide.
❏ Make sure that you configure any backup media that the storage unit uses.
The amount of backup media that is required depends on the devices that
are used, the sizes of the databases that you want to back up, the amount of
data that you want to archive, the size of your backups, and the frequency of
backups or archives.
For information on using Media Manager, see the NetBackup
Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Database software
Verify the following regarding the database software on the NetBackup client:
❏ SAP vendor software must be installed and operational.
❏ One or more SAP instances must exist.
Verifying prerequisites and registering the license key 23
Registering the license key

Cluster software
Verify the following requirements if you are enabling the database agent on a
NetBackup server configured in a NetBackup cluster:
❏ The SAP vendor software is installed and operational on each node to which
NetBackup can failover.
❏ The NetBackup server software is installed and configured to work in a
NetBackup cluster. Follow the instructions in the NetBackup Installation
Guide.
The NetBackup server installation procedure installs the database agent
software along with the server and client software. After all other
prerequisites are met, you only need to register the license key for the agent
on each NetBackup server in order to enable the agent.

Registering the license key


The database agent is installed with the server and client software. To use this
agent, register a valid license key for it on the master or media server. In a
NetBackup cluster, register the key on each node on which the NetBackup server
is installed.

To register a license key


1 On the master or media server, open the NetBackup administration console.
2 Choose Help > License Keys.
3 Click the New button.
4 Type in the license key and click Add.
For information on adding license keys, see the NetBackup Administrator’s
Guide, Volume I.

Copying NetBackup for SAP with backint


(Oracle databases without RMAN only)
Perform the copying described in this section only if you are using NetBackup
for SAP with an Oracle database but without the Oracle recovery manager
(RMAN).
SAP requires that all SAP tools be located in a predetermined folder. The folder
path is as follows:
C:\usr\sap\SID\SYS\exe\run

24 Verifying prerequisites and registering the license key


Copying NetBackup for SAP with backint (Oracle databases without RMAN only)

where SID is the unique name for an Oracle database instance. SID is also

known as the System ID.

The folder should contain the following commands:

■ brarchive.exe
■ brbackup.exe
■ brconnect.exe
■ brrestore.exe
■ brtools.exe
■ sapdba.exe

To copy the NetBackup for SAP binary file


◆ Copy backint.exe from the NetBackup install folder to the SAP tools
folder.
For example, if the Oracle instance name is CER, enter the following
command:
copy install_path\NetBackup\bin\backint.exe

c:\usr\sap\CER\sys\exe\run

Chapter 3
Configuration
This chapter contains the following topics:
■ “User interface terminology notes” on page 25

■ “Configuring the Maximum jobs per client” on page 26

■ “Configuring a backup policy for a database” on page 27

■ “Creating scripts” on page 36

■ “Enabling database user authentication” on page 40

■ “Modifying the configuration files” on page 40

■ “Testing configuration settings” on page 47

■ “Testing multiple drives and files” on page 48

“Verifying prerequisites and registering the license key” on page 21.

After you complete the installation, follow the procedures in this chapter to

configure your environment.

Note: If you are using NetBackup for SAP on an Oracle database, all the
information in this chapter applies to you. If you are using NetBackup for SAP
on a MaxDB database, this section notes a few differences. Also refer to
“NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases” on page 91 for additional
information.

User interface terminology notes

You can perform many of the configuration steps in this chapter from the
NetBackup administration console on the master server. Depending on your
master server’s platform, the console is available in one or two forms.
NetBackup supports a Java interface for both Windows and UNIX master
26 Configuration
Configuring the Maximum jobs per client

servers. In addition, NetBackup supports a Windows interface for Windows

master servers.

The Java and Windows interfaces are nearly identical. If interface differences

exist in the configuration procedures, this manual uses the following headings

to identify the interface being described:

From the Windows interface:


From the Java interface:

Configuring the Maximum jobs per client


The following procedure shows how to set the Maximum jobs per client
attribute.

To configure the maximum jobs per client


1 In the left pane of the NetBackup administration console, expand Host
Properties.
2 Select Master Server.
3 In the right pane, double-click the server icon.
4 Click Global Attributes.
5 Change the Maximum jobs per client value to 99.
The Maximum jobs per client specifies the maximum number of concurrent
backups that are allowed per client. The default is 1. You can use the
following formula to calculate a smaller value:
Maximum jobs per client = number_of_drives X number_of_policies

number_of_drives The number of concurrent brbackup jobs. The drives


parameter in the initSID.utl file defines these jobs.

number_of_policies The number of policies of any type that can back up this
client at the same time. This number can be greater than
one. For example, a client can be in two policies in order
to back up two different databases. These backup
windows can overlap.

Tip: Enter a large enough value for the Maximum jobs per client attribute to
meet the number of jobs that SAP runs. You might need to experiment with
different values at your site.
Configuration 27
Configuring a backup policy for a database

Configuring a backup policy for a database

A NetBackup backup policy for a database defines the backup criteria for a
specific group of one or more clients. These criteria include:
■ Storage unit and media to use
■ Policy attributes
■ Backup schedules
■ Clients to be backed up
■ The script files to be executed on the clients
To back up a database environment, you need to define at least one SAP policy
with the appropriate schedules. A configuration can have a single policy that
includes all clients, or there can be many policies, some of which include only

one client.

Most requirements for database policies are the same as for file system backups.

In addition to the policy attributes for this database agent, other attributes are

available that you should consider.

For configuration instructions and information on all the attributes available,

see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Adding a new policy


These instructions describe how to add a new backup policy for a database.

To configure a backup policy for databases

1 Log on to the master server as administrator (Windows) or root (UNIX).

2 Start the NetBackup Administration console.

3 If your site has more than one master server, choose the one on which you
want to add the policy.
4 From the Windows interface: In the left pane, right-click Policies and choose
New Policy.
From the Java interface: In the left pane, click Policies. In the All Policies
pane, right-click the master server, and click New Policy.
5 In the Add a New Policy dialog box, in the Policy name field, type a unique
name for the new policy.
6 Click OK.
7 In the Add a New Policy or Change Policy dialog box, in the Policy type list,
select the SAP policy type.
28 Configuration
Configuring a backup policy for a database

The database agent policy type does not appear in the drop-down list unless
your master server has a license key for the database agent.
8 Complete the entries on the Attributes tab.
For more information, see “Description of attributes,” which follows this
procedure.
9 Add other policy information.
■ To add schedules, see “Adding schedules” on page 28.
■ To add clients, see “Adding clients” on page 33.
■ To add scripts to the backup selections list, see “Adding backup
selections” on page 48.
10 When you have added all the schedules, clients, and backup selections you
need, click OK.

Description of attributes
With a few exceptions, NetBackup manages a database backup like a file system

backup. Table 3-3 shows the policy attributes that are different for SAP backups.

This information is used when you add a new policy.

Other policy attributes vary according to your specific backup strategy and

system configuration.

For more information on policy attributes, see the NetBackup Administrator’s

Guide, Volume I.

Table 3-3 Policy attribute descriptions

Attribute Description

Policy type Determines the types of clients that can be in the policy. In some
cases the policy type determines the types of backups that
NetBackup can perform on those clients. To use the database
agent, you must define at least one policy of type that is SAP.

Keyword phrase For NetBackup for SAP, the Keyword phrase entry is ignored.

Adding schedules
Each policy has its own set of schedules. These schedules initiate automatic
backups and specify when a user can initiate operations. A database backup has
two types of schedules: Application Backup and Automatic Backup.
Configuration 29
Configuring a backup policy for a database

Tips for configuring schedules


■ Set the window for the Application Backup schedule for 24 hours per day,
seven days per week. This window ensures that your operations are never
locked out due to the Application Backup schedule.

Configuring an Application Backup schedule


A database backup requires an Application Backup schedule. You cannot
perform backups if this type of schedule is not included in the policy. The
database agent automatically creates this schedule, named
Default-Application-Backup, when you configure a new database policy.

To configure an Application Backup schedule


1 In the Policy dialog box, click the Schedules tab.
To access the Policy dialog box, double-click the policy name in the Policies
list in the NetBackup administration console.
2 Double-click the schedule that is named Default-Application-Backup.
3 Specify the other properties for the schedule.
See “Schedule properties”.
The backup window for an Application Backup schedule must encompass
the time period during which all scheduled jobs and unscheduled jobs can
occur. This window is necessary because the Application Backup schedule
starts the processes that are required for all database backups, including
those started automatically.
For example, assume the following:
■ Users perform database backup operations during business hours,
08:00 to 13:00.
■ The Automatic backups that use this policy start between 18:00 and
22:00.
30 Configuration
Configuring a backup policy for a database

In this scenario, the Application Backup schedule must have a start time of
0800 and a duration of 14 hours. Table 3-4 on page 30 shows this example
schedule.

Table 3-4 Example settings for an Application Backup schedule

Type of backup Schedule settings Description Settings

Application Retention The length of time the backup images 2 weeks


Backup are retained in the NetBackup catalog
for restore.

Backup Window The time during which a NetBackup Sunday through Saturday
operation can be initiated.
00:08:00 - 22:00:00

Note: Specify the Application Backup schedule name in the initSID.utl file on
the client.

Configuring Automatic Backup schedules


You also need one or more automatic backup schedules if you plan to have
NetBackup perform automatic backups, or if you use Snapshot Client features.

To configure an Automatic Backup schedule


1 On the Policy dialog box, click the Schedules tab.
2 Click New.
3 Specify a unique name for the schedule.
4 Select the Type of backup.
See “Types of backup schedules.”
5 Specify the other properties for the schedule.
See Schedule properties, which follows this procedure.
Configuration 31
Configuring a backup policy for a database

Table 3-5 shows example settings for an automatic backup schedule.

Table 3-5 Example settings for an Automatic Backup schedule

Type of backup Schedule settings Description Settings

Automatic Backup Retention The length of time to store the record of a 2 weeks
backup, which NetBackup uses to
determine if the schedule needs to be run.

Frequency Frequency determines how often a backup every week


should be performed.

Backup Window The time during which a NetBackup Sunday, 18:00:00 -


operation can be initiated. 22:00:00

6 If this schedule is the last schedule, click OK. To add other schedules, repeat
step 1 through step 6.

Types of backup schedules


Table 3-6 shows the backup schedules you can specify.

Table 3-6 SAP backup types

Backup type Description

Application Backup The Application Backup schedule enables user-controlled NetBackup operations from
the client. These operations include those initiated from the client and those initiated
by an automatic schedule on the master server. NetBackup uses the Application Backup
schedule when the user starts a backup manually. Configure at least one Application
Backup schedule for each database policy. The Default-Application-Backup schedule is
configured automatically as an Application Backup schedule.

Automatic Full Backup An Automatic Full Backup schedule specifies the dates and times for NetBackup to
automatically start backups. NetBackup runs the SAP scripts in the order that they
appear in the file list. If there is more than one client in the SAP policy, the SAP scripts
are run on each client.

Automatic Incremental An Automatic Incremental Backup is a backup of only those blocks that have changed
Backup since the last Automatic Full (baseline) Backup. This kind of backup takes less time and
space than a full backup because the Automatic Incremental Backup contains only the
changed data.
NetBackup for SAP supports this type of backup in MaxDB environments and in Oracle
environments with RMAN.
32 Configuration
Configuring a backup policy for a database

Schedule properties
Some of the schedule properties have a different meaning for database backups
than for a regular file system backup. Table 3-7 explains the schedule
properties.

Table 3-7 Description of schedule properties

Property Description

Type of backup Specifies the type of backup that this schedule controls. The
selection list shows only the backup types that apply to the policy
you want to configure.
For more information, see “Types of backup schedules.”

Frequency This setting is used only for scheduled backups and not for
user-directed backups. Frequency specifies the period of time that
can elapse until the next backup or archive operation begins on this
schedule. For example, assume that the frequency is seven days and
a successful backup occurs on Wednesday. The next full backup does
not occur until the following Wednesday. Typically, incremental
backups have a shorter frequency than full backups.

Calendar This setting is used only for scheduled backups. It is not used for
user-directed backups. The Calendar option allows you to schedule
backup operations that are based on specific dates, recurring week
days, or recurring days of the month.
Configuration 33
Configuring a backup policy for a database

Table 3-7 Description of schedule properties (continued)

Property Description

Retention The retention period for an Application Backup schedule refers to


the length of time that NetBackup keeps backup images.
The retention period for an Automatic Backup schedule controls
how long NetBackup keeps records of when scheduled backups have
occurred.
Frequency-based scheduling
Set a retention period that is longer than the frequency setting for
the schedule. For example, if the frequency setting is set to one
week, set the retention period to be more than one week. The
NetBackup scheduler compares the latest record of the Automatic
Backup schedule to the frequency of that Automatic Backup
schedule to determine whether a backup is due. This means that if
you set the retention period to expire the record too early, the
scheduled backup frequency is unpredictable. However, if you set the
retention period to be longer than necessary, the NetBackup catalog
accumulates unnecessary records.
Calendar-based scheduling
The retention period setting is not significant for calendar-based
scheduling.

Multiple copies If you want to specify multiple copies of a backup for the policy,
configure Multiple copies on the Application Backup schedule.

Other schedule properties vary according to your specific backup strategy and
system configuration. For more information on schedule properties, consult the
NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume I.

Adding clients
The client list is the list of hosts on which your SAP scripts are run during an
automatic backup. A NetBackup client must be in at least one policy but can be
in more than one.
For a database policy, clients you want to add must have the following software
installed:
■ SAP
■ NetBackup client or server
■ The backup or restore script(s)
34 Configuration
Configuring a backup policy for a database

To add clients to a policy


1 In the Policy dialog box, click the Clients tab.
To access the Policy dialog box, double-click the policy name in the Policies
list in the NetBackup administration console.
2 Click New.
3 Enter the name of the client you want to add.
If SAP is installed in a NetBackup cluster, specify the virtual SAP name as
the client name.
From the Windows interface
■ Type the name of the client and press Enter.
If NetBackup cannot detect the hardware and operating system, a
dialog box displays so you can specify this information.
OR
■ Click the Browse for Computer button to choose the client from the
network.
From the Java interface
a In the Client name field, type the name of the client you want to add.
b Choose the Hardware and operating system type and click Add.
4 To add another client, repeat step 2 and step 3.
5 If this client is the last client, click OK.

Adding backup selections


The backup selections list in a database policy has a different meaning than for
non-database policies. For example, in a Standard or Windows-NT policy, the
list contains files and directories to be backed up. In a database policy, you
specify scripts to be run.

Rules for scripts


Observe the following when using scripts:
■ Make sure the scripts reside on each client in the client list. Scripts can
reside in any location. Make sure that NetBackup can access the location you
choose and that NetBackup can run the scripts.
■ NetBackup installs sample scripts when you install the software, and you
can modify these scripts for your own use. Write the scripts to a location
outside of the original installation location. This way future NetBackup
installations do not overwrite your site’s scripts.
Configuration 35
Configuring a backup policy for a database

■ If you use NetBackup for SAP in a NetBackup server cluster, make sure that
the scripts reside in a location that is available after a failover.
Add scripts to the backup selections list only if you want to set up a policy for
automatic backups. These scripts are run for manual backups and for Automatic
Backup schedules as specified under the Schedules tab. NetBackup runs the
scripts in the order that the scripts appear in the backup selections list.
For more information on backup scripts, see “Creating scripts” on page 36.

Adding scripts to the backup selections list


The following procedures describe how to add scripts to the backup selections
list using the Java interface and using the Windows interface.

Caution: Be sure to specify the correct script names in the backup selections list
to prevent an error or possibly a wrong operation. Make sure that the script
resides on the client before you try to add it to the backup selections list.

For more information on backup scripts, see “Creating scripts” on page 36.

To add scripts to the backup selections list from the Java interface
1 Open the Policy dialog box.
To access the Policy dialog box, double-click the policy name in the Policies
list in the NetBackup administration console.
2 Click the Backup Selections tab.

3 Click New.

4 Specify the names of the scripts that you want NetBackup to use.

a In the Script: box, type the full path name of a script on the client.
For example:
C:\Program Files\VERITAS\NetBackup\DbExt\SAP\samples\sap_offlne_backup.cmd

b Click Add to add the script to the list.


c Repeat step a and step b to add any other scripts.
5 Click OK.
For more information on backup scripts, see“Creating scripts” on page 36.
36 Configuration
Creating scripts

To add scripts to the backup selections list from the Windows interface
1 In the Policy dialog box, click the Backup Selections tab.
To access the Policy dialog box, double-click the policy name in the Policies
list in the NetBackup administration console.
2 Click New.
3 Specify the names of the scripts you want NetBackup to use.
Use one of the following methods:
■ Type the full path name of the script on the client.
For example:
C:\Program Files\VERITAS\NetBackup\DbExt\SAP\samples\sap_offlne_backup.cmd

■ Click the Remote Folder button.


Navigate to and select the script file. Click OK.
4 Click OK.

Creating scripts
If you configured a policy for automatic scheduling in “Adding backup
selections” on page 34, you also need to specify backup scripts to be run
automatically. You can either create your own scripts or you can modify one or
more of the scripts included in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Veritas\NetBackup\DbExt\SAP\samples

“NetBackup for SAP scripts” on page 36 shows the scripts in the samples
directory.

Table 3-8 NetBackup for SAP scripts

Used by
Script name (underlying database) Comments

sap_offline_backup.cmd Oracle without RMAN Issues a brbackup command and performs a full
offline database backup. Use the export
command to make %SAP_SERVER% and
%SAP_POLICY%, which are created by bphdb in
root, available to the NetBackup for SAP
backint interface process.

sap_online_backup.cmd Oracle without RMAN Issues the brbackup and brarchive


commands and performs a full online database
backup.

sap_redo_log_backup.cmd Oracle without RMAN Issues the brarchive command and backs up
the offline redo log files.
Configuration 37
Creating scripts

Table 3-8 NetBackup for SAP scripts (continued)

Used by
Script name (underlying database) Comments

sap_rman_backup.cmd Oracle with RMAN Issues the brbackup command with the RMAN
option.

sap_maxdb_backup.cmd MaxDB Issues a dbmcli command and uses the specified


backup medium.

If you decide to use these scripts, customize them for your environment.

Caution: Always specify the correct script when configuring automatic backups
or when starting operations through NetBackup. NetBackup for SAP does not
generate an error if a restore script is used for a backup operation or a backup
script is used for a restore operation.

Modifying the backup scripts


To modify the backup scripts
1 Copy the example script(s) from
install_path\NetBackup\DbExt\SAP\samples to a different location
on your client.
The SAP scripts can reside anywhere on the client. Do not store your scripts
in the sample directory because your modifications are lost if you upgrade
or reinstall. Always relocate your scripts to a safe location. In a NetBackup
server cluster, this location must be available after a failover.
2 Enable proper permissions on the script files so NetBackup can run the
scripts.
3 Open the script file with a text editor.
4 Modify the script according to the instructions in the file.
For example, the sap_offline_backup.cmd script contains the following
lines:
@REM
@REM $Header: sap_offline_backup.cmd,v 1.2 2002/11/20 00:47:59 $

@REM

@echo off

REM This environment variable are created by Netbackup (bphdb)

echo SAP_SCHEDULED = %SAP_SCHEDULED%

echo SAP_USER_INITIATED = %SAP_USER_INITIATED%

38 Configuration
Creating scripts

echo SAP_SERVER = %SAP_SERVER%

echo SAP_POLICY = %SAP_POLICY%

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace cer below with the Oracle SID of the target database.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set ORACLE_SID=cer

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace c:\oracle below with the Oracle home path.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set ORACLE_HOME=c:\oracle

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace C:\oracle\CER with SAPData Home Path

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set SAPDATA_HOME=C:\oracle\CER

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace path with the correct sap archive path.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set SAPARCH=%SAPDATA_HOME%\saparch

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace path with the correct sap backup path.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set SAPBACKUP=%SAPDATA_HOME%\sapbackup

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace path with the correct sap reorg path.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set SAPREORG=%SAPDATA_HOME%\sapreorg

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace path with the correct Path to Brtools

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set SAPEXE=C:\usr\sap\%ORACLE_SID%\sys\exe\run

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM Replace path with the correct BRBACKUP path.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

set BRBACKUP=c:\usr\sap\%ORACLE_SID%\sys\exe\run\brbackup

REM Full offline backup

Configuration 39
Creating scripts

set CMD_LINE=%BRBACKUP% -u internal/ -c -d util_file -t offline -m all

%CMD_LINE%

REM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

REM To communicate with NetBackup's job monitor for an automatic schedule

REM a "STATUS_FILE" variable is created by NetBackup (bphdb) that contains

REM a path to a file. This file is check by Netbackup to determine if the

REM automatic schedule was successful. It is up to the script to write

REM a 0 (passed) or 1 (failure) to the status file to communicate to NetBackup

REM the status of the execution of the script. The following code echo a 0

REM to %STATUS_FILE% if succcessful and echo a 1 to %STATUS_FILE% for a

REM failure.

REM --------------------------------------------------------------------------­

if errorlevel 1 goto errormsg

echo BRBACKUP successful

if "%STATUS_FILE%" == "" goto end

if exist "%STATUS_FILE%" echo 0 > "%STATUS_FILE%"

goto end

:errormsg

echo Execution of BRBACKUP command failed - exiting

if "%STATUS_FILE%" == "" goto end

if exist "%STATUS_FILE%" echo 1 > "%STATUS_FILE%"

:end

5 Test the scripts you just created.


For information on testing, see “Testing configuration settings” on page 47.

Script parameters
The SAP scripts that enable the SAP utilities to perform backups and restores
use parameters defined in the following sources:
■ Environment variables
■ Configuration files. For example, initSID.utl, where SID is the instance.
See “Modifying the configuration files” on page 41.
■ NetBackup configuration
You can use the different parameter sources to create SAP scripts to perform
different database backup and restore tasks. For example, you can define
%SAP_POLICY% in an SAP script to perform different types of backups.
40 Configuration
Enabling database user authentication

When NetBackup’s automatic scheduler runs an SAP script, it creates the


following environment variables locally.

Environment variable Purpose

%SAP_POLICY% Names the NetBackup for SAP policy.

%SAP_SCHEDULED% Set to 1 if this is an automatic backup (scheduled


SAP).

%SAP_SERVER% Names the NetBackup server.

%SAP_USER_INITIATED% Set to 1 if this is a user-initiated backup. That is, if the


SAP backup is started from the master server.

When an SAP script starts from the Java interface, it creates all of the preceding
variables except for the %SAP_POLICY% variable.

Enabling database user authentication


Because the NetBackup client service is, by default, started under the SYSTEM
account, special attention must also be given to database user authentication.
The SYSTEM account does not have permission to connect to the target database
if you are using OS authentication instead of passwords. If you are using OS
authentication, run the NetBackup client service under an account that has
SYSDBA privileges.. Use the following procedure to change the user account.

To change the user account for the NetBackup client services

1 Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel.

2 From the control panel, open Services.

3 Highlight NetBackup Client Service, and click Stop.

4 Click Startup.

5 From the Log ON As: pane, select This Account.

6 Type in the account name with SYSDBA privileges.

7 Type in the password.

8 Click OK.

9 Click START to restart the service.

Configuration 41
Modifying the configuration files

Modifying the configuration files

The following sections show how to modify the NetBackup for SAP
configuration files. The NetBackup for SAP software distribution includes
several example configuration files.

Files to configure
Table 3-9 on page 41 shows the files you need to modify depending upon
whether your underlying database is an Oracle database or a MaxDB database.

Table 3-9 Database configuration files

File Underlying database Comments

initSID.utl Oracle and MaxDB SAP parameter file. This file specifies policy, schedule, client,
and other information to the backint interface.

initSID.sap Oracle SAP profile file. This file contains information that the SAP
tools use to interact with the backint interface.

bsi.env MaxDB MaxDB configuration file. This file contains information that
the SAP tools use to interact with the backint interface.

Relationships between files


The SAP tools and NetBackup for SAP pass information in these configuration
files to the backint interface. When backint runs, the following occurs:
■ In NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases, you specify the actual
initSID.utl file name as the argument to the util_par_file
parameter in the initSID.sap file.
■ In NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases, you specify the actual
initSID.utl file name as the argument to the PARAMETERFILE
parameter in the bsi.env file.
■ The initSID.utl file name becomes the argument to the backint
command’s -p par_file parameter.
42 Configuration
Modifying the configuration files

Modifying the initSID.utl file


The initSID.utl file is the SAP parameter file. Edit this file as part of
configuring NetBackup for SAP.

To modify the initSID.utl file


1 Check for an existing parameter file.
If an initSID.utl file already exists in the %ORACLE_HOME%\database
directory, copy it to a backup file.
2 Create a new parameter file.
Copy the parameter file included in the NetBackup for SAP software
distribution to the %ORACLE_HOME%\database folder.
For example, if the Oracle instance is SAP, copy the NetBackup example
.utl file to initSAP.utl, as follows:
copy install_path\NetBackup\dbext\sap\scripts\initSAP.utl

%ORACLE_HOME%\database\initSAP.utl

3 Modify initSID.utl file with a text editor to set the parameters to values
that are appropriate to your site.

The following parameters are required: client, switch_list,

switch_log, switch_sem.

You can set the following additional parameters depending on whether or

not you use RMAN:

■ If you use RMAN, set policy, schedule, and server.


■ If you do not use RMAN, set drives, policy, schedule, and server.
For example, assume that initSAP.utl is your parameter file, and the
policy you are configuring is called sap_policy_1. You can use the
following procedure to set the policy parameter:
a Use a text editor to open the initSAP.utl file.
b Find the following line:
policy sap_backup

c Copy and paste this line under the original.


policy sap_backup

policy sap_backup

d Comment out the original line.


#policy sap_backup

policy sap_backup

e Change sap_backup to sap_policy_1.


#policy sap_backup
policy sap_policy_1
Configuration 43
Modifying the configuration files

f Repeat the preceding steps for each parameter you want to change.
When you are finished changing parameters, save and close the file.
The following shows an example initSID.utl file with all the parameters
required for NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases:
policy sap_policy_1

schedule Default-Application-Backup

client puffin

server puffin

drives 2

switch_list F:\oracle\SID\SAPBackup\.switch.lis

switch_sem F:\oracle\SID\SAPBackup\.switch.sem

switch_log F:\oracle\SID\SAPBackup\.switch.log

Note: The question mark (?) and ampersand (&) Oracle substitution characters
and the %ORACLE_HOME% environment variable are not allowed in the
initSID.utl file. This is because they are not allowed in the par_file that
the backint -p parfile option identifies.

Modifying the initSID.sap file

(NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases only)

The initSID.sap file is the SAP profile file. This file signals to the SAP tools
that you are using the backint interface and conveys information about
NetBackup for SAP to the SAP tools. Edit this file as part of configuring
NetBackup for SAP when the underlying database is Oracle.

To modify the initSID.sap file


1 Check for an existing profile file.
If an initSID.sap file already exists in the %ORACLE_HOME%\database
directory, copy it to a backup file.
2 Create a new profile file.
Copy the profile file included in the NetBackup for SAP software
distribution to the %ORACLE_HOME%\database folder.
For example, if the Oracle instance is SAP, copy the NetBackup example
.sap file to initSAP.sap, as follows:
copy install_path\NetBackup\dbext\sap\scripts\initSAP.sap

%ORACLE_HOME%\database\initSAP.sap

44 Configuration
Modifying the configuration files

3 Modify the initSID.sap file with a text editor to set the


backup_dev_type and util_par_file parameters to values that are
appropriate to your site.
For example, assume that initSAP.sap is your profile file, and
initSAP.utl is your parameter file. You can use the following procedure
to set parameters:
a Use a text editor to open the initSAP.sap file.
b Find the following line:
backup_dev_type = tape

c Copy and paste this line under the original.


backup_dev_type = tape

backup_dev_type = tape

d Comment out the original line.


#backup_dev_type = tape

backup_dev_type = tape

e Change tape to util_file.

#backup_dev_type = tape

backup_dev_type = util_file

f Find the following line:


util_par_file = file_path

g Copy and paste this line under the original.


util_par_file = file_path

util_par_file = file_path

h Comment out the original line.


#util_par_file = file_path

util_par_file = file_path

i Change file_path to the path to the initSID.utl parameter file.


#util_par_file = file_path
util_par_file = ?\database\init@.utl
This example file uses environment variable settings and Oracle
substitution characters. When the SAP tools interpret the
initSID.sap profile file, they replace the question mark (?) and at
sign (@) characters with the values assigned to the %ORACLE_HOME%
and %ORACLE_SID% environment variables, respectively.
4 (Conditional) Specify the rman_parms parameter and set the NB_ORA_SAP
environment variable to the value SAP.
Perform this step only if you are using NetBackup for SAP on an Oracle
database with RMAN. For example:
Configuration 45
Modifying the configuration files

rman_parms = “ENV=(NB_ORA_SAP=file)”

where file specifies the full path to the initSID.utl file. Do not use

substitution in the file specification.

For example, this parameter might look like the following:

rman_parms = “ENV=(NB_ORA_SAP=%ORACLE_HOME%\database\initCER.utl)”
Depending on your site practices, you might want to specify the following
additional NetBackup environment variables and their values as arguments
to the rman_parms parameter: NB_ORA_POLICY, NB_ORA_SCHEDULE,
NB_ORA_CLIENT, and NB_ORA_SERV. You can also specify values for these
environment variables in the initSID.utl file. If you specify differing
values, the ones in initSID.sap override those in initSID.utl.
For example, if you want to use one policy and schedule for the first part of
a backup (data files) and a different policy and schedule for the second part
of a backup (the control file backup), you can set the NB_ORA_POLICY and
NB_ORA_SCHEDULE variables in initSID.sap to pertain to the first part
of the backup. Then, you can set these variables to different values that
pertain to the second part of the backup in initSID.utl because
NetBackup for SAP checks only initSID.utl when backing up the control
files; it does not check initSID.sap.
You can include other RMAN parameters in this file. For more information
on other parameters, see your SAP documentation.
5 Save and close the initSID.sap file.

Modifying the bsi.env file

(NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases)

The bsi.env file specifies the following:


■ The backint for MaxDB program’s location, which is NetBackup for SAP on
MaxDB.
■ How to communicate with backint.
The database manager uses this information when it performs backups and
restores.
bsi.env is the default name for this configuration file, but if you want to
change this name, you can specify a different name in the BSI_ENV
environment variable in the MaxDB user environment.

To create a MaxDB configuration file


1 Use a text editor to create the MaxDB configuration file, bsi.env.
46 Configuration
Modifying the configuration files

Note: You can give the MaxDB configuration file a name other than bsi.env. If
you do this, edit the BSI_ENV environment variable and include the full path to
this file.

2 Use the parameters to specify backup characteristics.


You must include the following parameters in bsi.env: BACKINT, INPUT,
OUTPUT, ERROROUTPUT, and PARAMETERFILE. All other parameters are
optional.
The following is an example of a file with the minimum configuration
specified:
BACKINT C:\Program Files\VERITAS\NetBackup\bin\backint

INPUT C:\sapdb\logs\backint.in

OUTPUT C:\sapdb\logs\backint.out

ERROROUTPUT C:\sapdb\logs\backint.err

PARAMETERFILE C:\sapdb\indep_data\wrk\initSAP.utl

The following list shows the parameters you can include in the bsi.env file.

Parameter Description

BACKINT absolute_path\file_name Specifies the absolute path and file


name of the backint for MaxDB
program.

INPUT absolute_path\file_name The INPUT parameter specifies the


OUTPUT absolute_path\file_name absolute path and file name of the
ERROROUTPUT absolute_path\file_name standard input file. The OUTPUT
parameter specifies the absolute
path and file name of the standard
output file. The ERROROUTPUT file
specifies the absolute path and file
name of the standard error output
file.
The database manager creates these
files temporarily and uses them for
standard input, output, and error
output for backint for MaxDB.

PARAMETERFILE absolute_path\file_name Specifies the absolute path and file


name of the configuration file for the
backint for MaxDB program,
initSAP.utl.
Configuration 47
Modifying the configuration files

Parameter Description

TIMEOUT_SUCCESS seconds The number of seconds after which


the backup tool exits and after the
database kernel has copied all data
successfully. Default is 300.
This is the period of time after which
the database manager terminates the
backup tool if all data has been
copied to the pipes. Note that the
backup tool always exits after this
defined period, whether all data
copied from the database kernel has
been backed up by the backup tool or
not.

TIMEOUT_FAILURE seconds This parameter is effective only if the


database kernel has stopped the
backup due to an error. In such a
case, seconds specifies the number
of seconds after which the backup
tool exits. Default is 300.
Allow enough time for the backup
tool to save all data copied by the
database kernel because the backup
tool always exits when this timeout is
reached, even if not all of the copied
data has been saved yet. However, do
not specify too much time, or you
risk a situation in which a backup
stopped by the database kernel
blocks other backups, such as
automatic nightly backups, from
being started.
48 Configuration
Testing configuration settings

Parameter Description

ORIGINAL_RUNDIRECTORY absolute_path Specifies the absolute path of the run


directory of the source database. The
default value is the run directory of
the current database instance. This
value is case sensitive.
Specify this parameter only for a
migration. The prerequisite for the
migration from one computer to
another is that the version of
backint for MaxDB that you are
using can make backups from the
source computer available on the
target computer.

Testing configuration settings


After you configure the master server for NetBackup for SAP, test the
configuration settings. Perform a manual backup (or backups) with the
automatic backup schedules you created. For a description of status codes and
other troubleshooting information, see the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide.

To test the configuration settings

1 Log onto the master server as administrator (Windows) or root (UNIX).

2 Start the NetBackup administration console.

3 In the left pane, click Policies.


From the Windows interface: The policy list appears in the right pane.
From the Java interface: The right pane splits into an All Policies pane and a
details pane.
4 Click the policy you want to test.
5 Choose Actions > Manual Backup.
The Schedules pane contains the name of an automatic schedule (or
schedules) configured for the policy that you want to test. The Clients pane
contains the name of the client(s) listed in the policy that you want to test.
Configuration 49
Testing multiple drives and files

6 Follow the directions in the Manual Backup dialog box.


7 Click Activity Monitor on the NetBackup administration console.
The Activity Monitor and the script output indicates the status of the
backup operation. If the manual backup does not exit with a successful
status, see “Troubleshooting” on page 97.

Testing multiple drives and files


To test multiple drives, you must have the following in your environment:
■ More than one tablespace to back up
■ Multiple storage units to write to at the same time

You can also use the multiplex value to simulate multiple tape and disk drives.

To test multiple drives


1 Complete the configuration of NetBackup, NetBackup for SAP, and SAP tools
as described previously in this chapter.
2 Change the number of tape and disk drives specified by the drives
parameter in %ORACLE_HOME%\database\initSAP.utl to equal the
number of storage units. For example, the multiplex value multiplied by the
number of tape drives = drives. For more information, see the drives
parameter in “Parameters used in initSID.utl” on page 141.
drives 2

When you perform a backup, you should see two or more backups running,
depending upon how many drives you have identified in the
%ORACLE_HOME%\database\initSAP.utl parameter file. The number of
drives in the utility file should match the number of drives multiplied by the
multiplex value. The NetBackup for SAP backint interface waits for all
backups to complete before reporting success or failure to brbackup.
50 Configuration
Testing multiple drives and files
Chapter 4
Using NetBackup for SAP
This chapter contains the following topics:
■ “Performing a backup” on page 51
■ “Performing an archive” on page 56
■ “Performing a restore” on page 58
■ “Restarting failed backups and restores” on page 61
When all installation and configuration is complete, you can start SAP backups
and restores through NetBackup.

Caution: Always specify the correct SAP script when you configure automatic
backups or when you start operations through NetBackup. See “Creating
scripts” on page 36. NetBackup for SAP does not generate an error if a restore
script is used for a backup operation. Nor is an error generated if a backup script
is used for a restore operation.

Performing a backup
This section shows two different methods for performing backups.

Method 1: Using Netbackup schedules to start an SAP backup

Automatic backup
The most convenient way to back up your database is to set up schedules for
automatic backups. When the NetBackup scheduler invokes a schedule for an
automatic backup, the SAP scripts run as follows:
■ In the same order as they appear in the file list
52 Using NetBackup for SAP
Performing a backup

■ On all clients that have them (with path names that match)
The SAP scripts start the database backup.
You can create and configure a policy that uses the SAP scripts to back up your
database automatically, according to the schedules you specify. See
“Configuration” on page 25. To add or change schedules, see “Adding schedules”
on page 28.

Manual backup
The administrator can use the NetBackup server software to execute an
automatic backup schedule manually for the SAP policy. See “Testing
configuration settings” on page 48.

Method 2: Using BRTools to start an SAP backup (for Oracle database


only)

Note: The information in this section applies to NetBackup for SAP on Oracle
databases only. Different configuration is required for NetBackup for SAP on a
MaxDB database. See the chapter “NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases” on
page 91.

You can start a backup in one of the following ways.


■ Through the SAPDBA utility’s menus
■ Through the brbackup command line
When you use the SAPDBA utility or the brbackup command to start a backup,
the following events occur:
1 brbackup status messages appear on the console. These messages report
when the database server is started or stopped. They also report when the
backup mode of the tables is changed.
2 The brbackup command starts the NetBackup for SAP backint interface,
and it submits files to be backed up.
3 The NetBackup for SAP backint interface processes input files and calls
the XBSA interface. During the file-online mode, each database file is backed
up, one at a time. The NetBackup for SAP backint interface coordinates
with brbackup using a semaphore file.
4 After all files are backed up, the full file list is displayed. The file list is
displayed in the format that the NetBackup for SAP backint interface
specification requires as to success or failure. This format includes a backup
ID (BID) to be used for later restores. The SAP tools also maintain a log of the
Using NetBackup for SAP 53
Performing a backup

backup session. The standard NetBackup logs keep track of the images
created. The NetBackup for SAP backint interface only needs to keep track
of the BID date and time. This allows cross-referencing by brrestore.

SAPDBA offline backup


The following procedure shows how to perform an offline backup with SAPDBA.

To perform an offline backup using SAPDBA


1 Verify that you have completely configured NetBackup, NetBackup for SAP,
and the SAP tools. See “Configuration” on page 25.
2 Verify that you are user sapadm.
3 Run the stopsap R3 command to stop SAP.
4 Start sapdba.
The following appears:
___________________________________________________________________

SAPDBA V6.20 - SAP Database Administration - on WIN NT 4.0

___________________________________________________________________

ORACLE version: 9.2.0.1.0

ORACLE_SID : CER

ORACLE_HOME : D:\oracle\ora90

DATABASE : open

SAPR3 : 5, not connected

a - Startup/shutdown instance h - Backup database

b - Instance information i - Backup offline redo logs

c - Tablespace administration j - Restore/recovery

d - Reorganization k - Additional functions

e - Export/import l - Show/cleanup

f - Archive mode m - User and security

q - Quit

Please select ==> h

5 Type h to select the Backup database menu item.


The following appears:
__________________________________________________________________

Backup Database

__________________________________________________________________

Current value

a - Backup function Normal backup

b - Parameter file initCER.sap

54 Using NetBackup for SAP


Performing a backup

c - Backup device type external backup tool (backint)

d - Objects for backup all

e - Backup type offline

g - Query only no

h - Special options ...

i - Standard backup yes

j - Backup from disk backup

k - Restart backup

l - Make part. backups compl.

S - Start BRBACKUP (V6.20)

q - Return

Please select ==> d

6 Type d to select Objects for backup.


The following appears:
___________________________________________________________________

Backup Mode/Backup Objects

___________________________________________________________________

Current selection: “all”

a - “all” - whole database backup

b - “all_data” - whole database backup without index tablespaces

c - “full” - full backup (level 0)

d - “incr” - incremental backup (level 1)

e - “sap_dir” - SAP directories backup

f - “ora_dir” - ORACLE directories backup

g - - a tablespace name

h - - an ORACLE file id <number>

or a range of file ids <number>-<number>

i - - an absolute or directory name

j - - a combination: <item> or <item>,<item>,...

q - Return

Please select ==>g

Enter tablespace name

Enter objects for backup (<return> only for no change)=> PSAPUSER1D

7 Type g and type the name of the object to back up.


For example: PSAPUSER1D.
The following appears:
___________________________________________________________________

Backup Mode/Backup Objects

___________________________________________________________________
Using NetBackup for SAP 55
Performing a backup

Current selection: “PSAPUSER1D”

a - “all” - whole database backup

b - “all_data” - whole database backup without index tablespaces

c - “full” - full backup (level 0)

d - “incr” - incremental backup (level 1)

e - “sap_dir” - SAP directories backup

f - “ora_dir” - ORACLE directories backup

g - - a tablespace name

h - - an ORACLE file id <number>

or a range of file ids <number>-<number>

i - - an absolute file or directory name

j - - a combination: <item> or <item>,<item>,...

q - Return

Please select ==>q

8 Type q to go back to the previous menu.


The information that is returned indicates the following:
■ The backup device type is external backup tool (backint).
■ The backup type is offline_force.
■ Tablespace is PSAPUSER1D.

For example:

___________________________________________________________________

Backup database

___________________________________________________________________

Current value

a - Backup function Normal backup

b - Parameter file initCER.sap

c - Backup device type external backup tool (backint)

d - Objects for backup PSAPUSER1D

e - Backup type offline

g - Query only no

h - Special options ...

i - Standard backup yes

j - Backup from disk backup

l - Restart backup

m - Make part. backups compl.

S - Start BRBACKUP (V6.20)

q - Return

Please select ==>S

9 Type S to start the backup.


56 Using NetBackup for SAP
Performing an archive

brbackup online backup


You can use brbackup instead of sapdba to perform database backups. This
section shows an online backup. You can change the backup_mode by changing
the initSAP.sap parameter file or by specifying -t online on the brbackup
command. Here is what these changes look like in initSAP.sap:
backup_type = online_file
This backup mode allows sapdba or brbackup to use a semaphore file with the
NetBackup for SAP backint interface. This mode provides a better online
backup for very large files because only the necessary tablespaces are placed in
backup mode. When NetBackup is ready to process another file, it notifies
brbackup. You can change the backup_mode to online to test this mode.

To use brbackup
1 Verify that you have completely configured NetBackup, NetBackup for SAP,
and the SAP tools. See “Configuration” on page 25.
2 Verify that you are user sapadm.
3 Enter the brbackup command.
■ To initiate an online backup, enter the following command:
brbackup -d util_file_online -t online -m all

■ To initiate a full backup when you use RMAN, enter the following
command:
brbackup -d rman_util -t offline -m full -c

■ To initiate an incremental backup when you use RMAN, enter the


following command:
brbackup -d rman_util -t online -m incr -c

Performing an archive
This section explains how to create two backup copies of an archive log. An
archive is performed in a fashion similar to a backup. You can use the
NetBackup multiple copies feature or brarchive command to create the
backup copies. You can store each copy on separate media and retrieve them.
Depending on how you use NetBackup for SAP, create archive log backups
copies with the method that is easiest for you.

Method 1: Using the NetBackup multiple copies feature


If multiple copies is enabled in a backup schedule, NetBackup automatically
makes up to four copies of a backup. The brarchive command uses this
information and creates the specified number of backup copies of the archive
Using NetBackup for SAP 57
Performing an archive

log file. For more information on the multiple copies feature, see the NetBackup
Administration Guide, Volume 1.

Examples
Example 1. When multiple copies is enabled, the following command creates the
number of backup copies that are specified and writes each copy to a different
tape:
brarchive -d util_file -s

Example 2. To restore the first available copy of an archive log file, issue the
following command:
brrestore -d util_file -a log_number
where log_number is the number of the archive log you want to restore.

Method 2: Using two brarchive commands in sequence


You can also create a backup copy of the archive log by issuing two brarchive
commands in sequence. You can write each backup copy to different media. For
example, you can write each backup copy to two different tapes, to disk and tape,
or to any combination of media.

Examples
This example assumes that only one archive log is to be backed up, archive log
77.

To create the backup copies


For the first copy, call brarchive with the -s option. For the second copy, call
brarchive with the -sc option. Both commands automatically determine that
the archive log file needs to be backed up and perform the backup.
1 To create the first backup copy, issue the following command:
brarchive -d util_file -s

2 To create the second backup copy, issue the following command:


brarchive -d util_file -sc

To restore the archived log files

1 To restore the first backup copy, issue the following command:

brrestore -a 77

2 To restore the second backup copy, issue the following command:


brrestore -a2 77

58 Using NetBackup for SAP


Performing a restore

Performing a restore

The following sections explain how to perform a restore if you have NetBackup
for SAP on an Oracle database. NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database
required a different configuration. See “Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB
database to perform backups and restores” on page 92.

Using the SAPDBA utility (NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases


only)
To restore a partial database or full Oracle database, you must have a list of valid
restores. Use the sapdba system to maintain the list of restores for specific
tablespace or complete database restores.
When the user restores either individual tablespaces or full databases, the user
is prompted before an existing copy of the target file is deleted. sapdba then
invokes the brrestore command.
brrestore submits the BID and file name list to the NetBackup for SAP
backint interface. The backint interface cross-references the exact date and
time to when the backup was made and uses NetBackup to recover the file. The
backint interface monitors the progress of the restore and reports status back
to brrestore.
Upon completion, the backint interface saves a copy of the NetBackup restore
logs for auditing purposes. sapdba then provides required database recovery,
such as media recovery, and restarts the database server.

To use brrestore to restore database files


◆ In Oracle-based environments without RMAN, use the command with the
following options:
brrestore -d util_file -b last -m full -c force

◆ In Oracle-based environments with RMAN, use the command with the


following options:
brrestore -d rman_util -b last -m full -c force

Redirecting a restore to a different client (NetBackup for SAP on


Oracle databases only)
You have the option to restore an SAP database to a client other than the one
that originally supplied the backup. This process to restore data to a different
client is called a redirected restore.
In order to perform a redirected restore, the following conditions must be
present:
Using NetBackup for SAP 59
Performing a restore

■ The source client and destination client must have identical computer
system architectures, OS versions, and bit levels.
■ The source client and destination client must have identical Oracle RDBMS
levels.

Note: In some situations, you can restore from lower to higher release levels of
Oracle. For more information, see your Oracle documentation.

The redirected restore is a four-part process:


1 Configure the NetBackup server.
2 Copy files from the source client to the destination client.
3 Configure the NetBackup for SAP destination client.
4 Perform the redirected restore.
The following procedure explains each part of the process. For more
information on redirected restores, see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide.

To perform a NetBackup for SAP redirected restore

1 Verify that you are logged in as the NetBackup administrator.

2 Configure the NetBackup server to allow redirected restores.


This step differs depending on whether you want to allow restores from any
client or from only selected clients.
a To remove restrictions for all clients, create the following file on the
Netbackup master server:
C:\Program Files\NetBackup\db\altnames\No.Restrictions

OR
b To restrict clients to restore only from certain other clients, create the
following file:
C:\Program Files\NetBackup\db\altnames\client_name

c If you performed step b, add the name of the NetBackup for SAP source
client to the client_name file.
3 On the destination client, back up the existing control files to preserve the
original configuration.
These files are usually in the %ORACLE_HOME%\database directory.
4 Copy configuration and control files from the NetBackup for SAP source
client to the NetBackup for SAP destination client.
60 Using NetBackup for SAP
Performing a restore

a Copy the following files from the source client, usually


%ORACLE_HOME%\database, to the same location on the destination
client:
■ initSID.sap
■ initSID.utl
■ initSID.ora
■ initSID.dba
b Copy the %SAPDATA_HOME%\sapbackup directory from the source
client to the same location on the destination client.
5 Configure the NetBackup for SAP destination client.
a Change the client parameter in the initSID.utl file on the
destination client to the name of the source client.
OR
Set the SAP_CLIENT environment variable on the destination client to
the name of the source client. For example:
SAP_CLIENT=source_client

export SAP_CLIENT

Note: The SAP_CLIENT variable has higher priority than the value in the
initSID.utl file.

b On the destination client, create a file path like the one on the source
client.
For example:
■ Source client actual path is:
C:\Oracle\SAP

■ Destination client actual path is:


C:\Oracle\SAP

Note: Do not use the -m dest_dir option with brrestore. This option
restores the files to the directory you specify, rather than to the original
directories.

6 Perform the redirected restore.


a Log onto the NetBackup for SAP destination client.
b Enter the following command:
brrestore -d util_file -b last -m full

Using NetBackup for SAP 61


Restarting failed backups and restores

Disaster recovery using BRRECOVER


When running disaster recovery using BRRECOVER, if the initDBSID.sap file
is not present, BRRECOVER calls BACKINT without the “-p init<DBSID>.utl”
parameter.
If Netbackup for SAP is called without the util file parameter, it checks for the

Restarting failed backups and restores


A backup or a restore can fail or terminate because of system error or resource
contention. For example, a backup can fail because the tape library ran out of
tapes, the storage unit ran out of space, or a network connection was lost. In the
case of large environments with more than a terabyte of data, it might not be
feasible to repeat the backup all over again. You might have already missed the
current backup window, so the backup can happen only in the next backup
window. In this situation, you can use the checkpoint restart capability.
Netbackup for SAP enables you to restart backups and restores from the point of
failure. By default, Netbackup for SAP takes checkpoints every 15 minutes
during a backup. You can specify that these checkpoints occur at a different
interval on the backup policy’s attributes tab. For a failed job, the agent retains
partial image and catalog entries in the netbackup catalog for the files that have
been already backed up.

Note: Netbackup for SAP uses backint to restart failed backups and restores of
Oracle databases.

Netbackup for SAP does not support the use of RMAN to restart failed backups
and restores of Oracle databases. Nor can it restart failed backups or restores of
any databases that are based on MaxDB.

Restarting backups
The following sections explain how the NetBackup for SAP backup process
works and how to restart a backup.

Caution: Follow the instructions in this section to restart a backup. Attempts to


restart a backup from the Activity Monitor will fail.
62 Using NetBackup for SAP
Restarting failed backups and restores

How does the backup process work?


The brbackup command initiates the backup for SAP on Oracle databases. The
brbackup command calls the Netbackup for SAP agent (backint) with
appropriate options and gives a list of files for backup.
Backups can be either successful or unsuccessful. The results are as follows:
■ For a successful backup:
For each file that is backed up successfully, backint sends the following
message to brbackup:
#SAVED BID filename
For each SAVED ... message that brbackup receives, brbackup writes
the following information to its log file:
#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\file1.dbf

#SAVED.... VXF1134574401

■ For an unsuccessful backup:


For each file that is not backed up successfully, backint sends the

following message to brbackup:

#ERROR filename

For each ERROR ... message that brbackup receives, brbackup writes

the following message to its log file:

BR0233E Backup utility has reported an error while saving

file C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\file1.dbf

A backup can fail for several reasons that are unrelated to NetBackup
operations:
■ The tape library ran out of tapes
■ A network connection problem occurred
■ The user killed the backup but wants to restart it sometime later
For situations like these, Netbackup for SAP saves the partial image for the files
that have been already backed up. Catalog entries in the NetBackup catalog are
also saved. It returns the following messages:
■ #SUCCESS BID filename - For the files that were backed up
■ #ERROR filename - For the files that were not backed up
If a backup has terminated because of any problems that are not related to
NetBackup, you do not have to repeat a complete backup again. Use the
brbackup command and the -f logfile parameter. The brbackup command
automatically determines the files that still need to be backed up. The next
section describes how to use the -f parameter to restart a backup.
Using NetBackup for SAP 63
Restarting failed backups and restores

Configuring the checkpoint restart option in a backup policy


To restart backups from the point of failure, you must enable checkpointing in
your NetBackup for SAP policy. To enable this feature, in the attributes for the
policy, select Take Checkpoints Every. By default, this option is disabled. When
this option is not enabled, a failed backup that is based on this policy is restarted
from the beginning of the job.
When Take Checkpoints Every is enabled, by default the NetBackup for SAP
agent takes a checkpoint every 15 minutes. You can configure this time interval
for a different duration.

Restarting a backup
You can use the brbackup command’s -f option to back up only the files that
failed to be backed up. You do not have to specify that all files be backed up
again.
Use the following procedure to restart a backup.

To restart a backup
◆ Run the brbackup command with the -f logfile parameter.
For logfile, specify one of the following:
■ The log file name of the failed job. When the log file is specified,
brbackup checks it for the files that were not backed up successfully.
■ The keyword last. When this keyword is specified, brbackup checks
the status of the last backup job for the files that were not backed up
successfully.
The brbackup command examines the specified file. It determines the files that
were backed up successfully and the files that were not backed up successfully.
brbackup sends backint the list of files that still need to be backed up.
brbackup starts a new job only for the files that still need to be backed up.
Example 1. The following command specifies a log file:
brbackup -d util_file -m all -c -f bdprcayp.aff

Example 2. The following command specifies the last backup job:


brbackup -d util_file -m all -c -f last

Example: Restarting a backup job


The example in this section shows how to restart a failed backup job. Assume the
following:
■ The backup job was deliberately cancelled from the activity manager. In a
real user case, a job might fail for different reasons.
64 Using NetBackup for SAP
Restarting failed backups and restores

■ You enabled checkpointing (the Take Checkpoints Every option in the


policy).
■ You ran the backup according to the following brbackup command:
#brbackup -d util_file -t offline -m all -c force
The following is an excerpt from the output log:
BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.07.59

BR0057I Backup of database: SUD

BR0058I BRBACKUP action ID: bdsbecnl

BR0059I BRBACKUP function ID: aff

BR0110I Backup mode: ALL

BR0077I Database files for backup:

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogA\log1_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogB\log2_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogA\log3_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogB\log4_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\saparch\cntrl\cntrlSUD.dbf

BR0061I 29 files found for backup, total size 853.604 MB

The previous output log shows the 29 files for backup. brbackup calls the
NetBackup SAP agent for backup.
In this example, we have configured the checkpoint frequency for 5 minutes. By
the time first checkpoint was taken (that is, in the first 5 minutes), 13 files were
backed up. The user killed the job from the NetBackup activity monitor after
NetBackup took the first checkpoint. backint returned #SUCCESS messages to
brbackup for 13 files that were backed up. For the files that were yet to be
backed up, backint retuned #ERROR. The following are the output messages
from the brbackup log:
BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.08.04

BR0229I Calling backup utility with function 'backup'...

BR0278I Command output of 'backint.exe -u SUD -f backup -i

C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.bdsbecnl.lst -t file -p C:\oracle\ora920\dbs\initSUD.utl

-c':

*******************************************************************

Program: backint 6.5

Input File: C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.bdsbedhj.lst

Profile: C:\oracle\ora920\dbs\initSUD.utl

Function: BACKUP

Backup Type: BACKUP_FILE

*******************************************************************

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.15.50

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

#SAVED.... VXF1141141105

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.15.50

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1

#SAVED.... VXF1141141105

….

….

Using NetBackup for SAP 65


Restarting failed backups and restores

BR0233E Backup utility has reported an error while saving file

C:\oracle\SUD\saparch\cntrl\cntrlSUD.dbf

*******************************************************************

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.15.50

BR0279E Return code from 'backint -u SUD -f backup -i

C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.bdsbecnl.lst -t file -p C:\oracle\ora920\dbs\initSUD.utl

-c': 2

BR0232E 13 of 29 files saved by backup utility

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.15.50

BR0231E Backup utility call failed

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.15.52

BR0304I Starting and opening database instance SUD ...

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.16.00

BR0305I Start and open of database instance SUD successful

BR0056I End of database backup: bdsbecnl.aff 2006-02-28 21.15.50

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.16.00

BR0054I BRBACKUP terminated with errors

You can then restart the preceding job with following command:
#brbackup -d util_file -t offline -m all -f last -c force
The brbackup command examined the last backup log and found that the
backup failed for some files. It writes following messages in the beginning of
output log for this session:
BR0051I BRBACKUP 6.40 (22)

BR0055I Start of database backup: bdsbedhj.aff 2006-02-28 21.16.35

BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\bdsbecnl.aff:

'BR0233E Backup utility has reported an error while saving file

C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata5\datafile.4'

BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\bdsbecnl.aff:

'BR0233E Backup utility has reported an error while saving file

C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata5\datafile.5'

….

….

BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\bdsbecnl.aff:

'BR0279E Return code from 'backint -u SUD -f backup -i

C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.bdsbecnl.lst -t file -p C:\oracle\ora920\dbs\initSUD.utl

-c': 2'

BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\bdsbecnl.aff:

'BR0232E 13 of 29 files saved by backup utility'

BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\bdsbecnl.aff:

'BR0231E Backup utility call failed'

BR0459W Backup C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\bdsbecnl.aff terminated with errors

….

….

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.16.36

BR0057I Backup of database: SUD

BR0058I BRBACKUP action ID: bdsbedhj

BR0059I BRBACKUP function ID: aff

66 Using NetBackup for SAP


Restarting failed backups and restores

BR0110I Backup mode: ALL

BR0077I Database files for backup:

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogA\log1_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogB\log2_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogA\log3_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\origlogB\log4_m1.dbf

C:\oracle\SUD\saparch\cntrl\cntrlSUD.dbf

BR0061I 16 files found for backup, total size 283.502 MB

BR0091I 13 files were already saved in: bdsbecnl.aff

As the preceding output log shows, 13 files were already backed up. The
following is the output of a successful brbackup restart job. This job is the one
that backed up the remaining 16 files:
BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.16.41

BR0229I Calling backup utility with function 'backup'...

BR0278I Command output of 'backint -u SUD -f backup -i

C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.bdsbedhj.lst -t file -p C:\oracle\ora920\dbs\initSUD.utl

-c':

*******************************************************************

Program: backint 6.5


Input File: C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.bdsbedhj.lst
Profile: C:\oracle\ora920\dbs\initSUD.utl
Function: BACKUP
Backup Type: BACKUP_FILE
*******************************************************************

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.21.38

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata5\datafile.4

#SAVED.... VXF1141141607

….

….

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.21.38

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\saparch\cntrl\cntrlSUD.dbf

#SAVED.... VXF1141141607

*******************************************************************

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2006-02-28 21.21.38

BR0232I 16 of 16 files saved by backup utility

BR0230I Backup utility called successfully

Restarting restores
The following sections explain how the NetBackup for SAP restore process
works and how to restart a restore.

Caution: Follow the instructions in this section to restart a restore. Attempts to


restart a restore from the Activity Monitor will fail.
Using NetBackup for SAP 67
Restarting failed backups and restores

How does the restore process work?


You can restore an SAP database that is based on Oracle by using the
brrestore command. The brrestore command writes a record into the input
file for each file to be restored. This record is named BID filename.
brrestore then calls the Netbackup for SAP agent (backint) with the
appropriate options.
Restores can be either successful or unsuccessful. For each record in the input
file, the brrestore command expects one of the following messages from
backint:
■ For a successful restore:
#FILE..... filename

#RESTORED BID

■ For an unsuccessful restore:


#ERROR filename

If the restore is successful, backint reports #RESTORED BID filename.

Then, brrestore writes the following:

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

#RESTORED. VXF1147974254
brrestore does not write any messages if backint reports #ERROR
filename.
If the restore job fails after restoring some files, the Netbackup for SAP agent
(backint) reports #RESTORED for the files it restored. It reports #ERROR for the
files that it did not restore.

Restarting a restore
You can use the brrestore command’s -f option to restore only the files that
failed to be restored. You do not have to specify that all files be restored again.
Use the following procedure to restart a restore.

To restart a restore
◆ Run the brrestore command with the -f logfile parameter.
For logfile, specify one of the following:
■ The log file name of the failed job. When the log file is specified,
brrestore checks it for the files that were not restored successfully.
■ The keyword last. When this keyword is specified, brbackup checks
the status of the last restore job for the files that were not restored
successfully.
The brrestore command examines the specified file. It determines the files
that were restored successfully and the files that were not restored successfully.
68 Using NetBackup for SAP
Restarting failed backups and restores

brrestore sends backint the list of files that still need to be restored.
brrestore starts a new job only for the files that still need to be restored.
Example 1. The following command specifies a log file:
brrestore -d util_file -m all -f rdsqcxdf.rsb

Example 2. The following command specifies the last restore job:


brrestore -d util_file -m all -f last

Example: restarting a restore job


This section shows how to restart a failed restore job. Assume that the you
deliberately cancelled the job from the activity monitor. In reality, the job might
fail due to different reasons.
This example shows the log messages that brrestore created while restoring
the files for the CER database, using the following command:
brrestore -d util_file -b last -m all
The following are excerpts from the corresponding brrestore log file:
BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.18.15
BR0407I Restore of database: CER
BR0408I BRRESTORE action ID: rdsqcxdf
BR0409I BRRESTORE function ID: rsb
BR0449I Restore mode: ALL
BR0419I Files will be restored from backup: bdsqcwtl.aff 2006-05-18 23.14.01
BR0416I 19 files found to restore, total size 645.148 MB
BR0421I Restore device type: util_file
BR0134I Unattended mode with 'force' active - no operator confirmation allowed

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.18.16

BR0229I Calling backup utility with function 'restore'...

BR0278I Command output of 'backint -u CER -f restore -i

C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.rdsqcxdf.lst -t file -p C:\oracle\Ora920\dbs\initCER.utl

-c':

******************************************************************************

Program: backint 6.5

Input File: C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.rdsqcxdf.lst

Profile: C:\oracle\Ora920\dbs\initCER.utl

Function: RESTORE

******************************************************************************

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.18.57

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

#RESTORED. VXF1147974254

….

….

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.18.57

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\el46bi_1\el46bi.data1

#RESTORED. VXF1147974254

***********************************************************************

BR0374E 7 of 19 files restored by backup utility

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.18.57

Using NetBackup for SAP 69


Restarting failed backups and restores

BR0231E Backup utility call failed


After you start the brrestore command, you cancel the restore job from the
activity monitor. As the preceding log indicates, brrestore restored 7 out of
the 19 files. You can restore the remaining files as part of a new brrestore
session. In a production situation, you should identify and correct the cause of
failure before restarting brrestore.
Enter the following command with the -f option to start brrestore:
brrestore -d util_file -m all -f last
The following output is an excerpt from the corresponding brrestore log file:
BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\rdsqcxdf.rsb:
'BR0374E 7 of 19 files restored by backup utility'
BR0453W Error message found in C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\rdsqcxdf.rsb:
'BR0231E Backup utility call failed'
BR0471W Restore C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\rdsqcxdf.rsb terminated with errors

BR0428W File C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata6\es46bd_1\es46bd.data1 will be overwritten

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.19.20

BR0407I Restore of database: CER

BR0408I BRRESTORE action ID: rdsqcxfs

BR0409I BRRESTORE function ID: rsb

BR0449I Restore mode: ALL

BR0419I Files will be restored from backup: bdsqcwtl.aff 2006-05-18 23.14.01

BR0416I 12 files found to restore, total size 520.094 MB

BR0445I 7 files were already restored in the following run: rdsqcxdf.rsb

BR0421I Restore device type: util_file

brrestore checks the previous log file and finds that 12 files need to be
restored and that 7 files are already restored. brrestore directs backint to
restore the 12 files. The log file is as follows:
BR0134I Unattended mode with 'force' active - no operator confirmation allowed

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.19.20

BR0229I Calling backup utility with function 'restore'...

BR0278I Command output of '/usr/sap/CER/SYS/exe/run/backint -u CER -f restore -i

C:\oracle\SUD\sapbackup\.rdsqcxfs.lst -t file -p C:\oracle\Ora920\dbs\initCER.utl -c':

***********************************************************************

Program:/usr/sap/CER/SYS/exe/run/backint 6.5

Input File:C:\oracle\SUD\\sapbackup\.rdsqcxfs.lst

Profile:C:\oracle\Ora920\dbs\initCER.utl

Function:RESTORE

***********************************************************************

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.20.09

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata6\es46bd_1\es46bd.data1

#RESTORED. VXF1147974254

….

….

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.20.09

#FILE..... C:\oracle\SUD\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1

70 Using NetBackup for SAP


Restarting failed backups and restores

#RESTORED. VXF1147974254

***********************************************************************

BR0280I BRRESTORE time stamp: 2006-05-18 23.20.09

BR0374I 12 of 12 files restored by backup utility

BR0230I Backup utility called successfully

As the preceding log shows, the remaining 12 files are restored successfully.
Chapter 5
NetBackup for SAP with
Snapshot Client
This chapter contains the following topics:
■ “Using NetBackup for SAP to backup large databases” on page 71
■ “NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client overview” on page 73
■ “How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?” on page 75
■ “Configuring snapshot backups” on page 80
■ “Restoring data from a snapshot backup” on page 84
■ “Additional snapshot client configuration information” on page 86
When Netbackup for SAP is used with Snapshot Client, the environments that
are based on Oracle are supported. Environments that are based on MaxDB
databases are not supported.
The ability to restore your environment quickly depends on your ability to back
up business-critical data quickly. Backups enable you to restore your
environment in the event of logical database errors or physical errors such as
hardware failures or disasters. Symantec recommends that customers perform
online backups at least daily and offline backups once a week. Periods of low
SAP system activity are few and far between because customers tend to run long
batch jobs on weekends or during night hours.

Using NetBackup for SAP to backup large databases


Symantec recommends that customers with production databases back up their
environments on a daily basis. However, due to the following concerns, this
daily backup often is not feasible for databases of a size between 100 GB to over
1 TB:
72 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Using NetBackup for SAP to backup large databases

■ Server performance. The backup process for large databases can cause
severe performance problems because the process consumes the database
server's resources. CPU time, the system bus, the I/O bus, hard disk
controllers, and volume controllers become saturated. As a result, online use
of the SAP system is limited and system performance is unpredictable
during the backup.
■ System availability. Traditionally, backup activities were carried out when
there was little or no system activity. This time window usually occurred at
night. In today’s production environments, which require little or no system
downtime, this window is small, if one even exists.
■ Network performance. A backup of large databases from the production host
and over the network can lead to instability and further performance loss.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client supports split mirror backups. Split
mirror backups are the recommended backup method for large databases
because these backups overcome the preceding concerns.
Figure 5-6 on page 72 shows a split mirror environment.

Figure 5-6 SAP split mirror backup scenario

Database server for Database server for backup;


live system also secondary system

Constant
copy Local
(split) copy

Mirror1 Mirror2

Live data

In SAP environments, the Snapshot Client technology supports the following


major backup strategies:
■ Offhost backup, which offers more performance. It offloads database
backup activity and CPU cycles from the production host to the backup host.
Thus, it improves the performance of the production environment.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 73
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client overview

■ Snapshot backup, which requires no downtime of your production system.


SAP supports both offline and online split mirror backups. In an online split
mirror backup, the production database remains available for user
transactions. The need for backup windows is eliminated and 24/7 uptime
functionality is provided for continuous business transactions.
■ Split mirror backups. Because the mirrors are split from their standard
devices and mounted on the backup server, the backup does not overload the
network. The backup is run on the backup server without affecting the
network.

NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client overview


The NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client software consolidates a variety of
snapshot-based technologies into a single, easy-to-use backup solution.
Table 5-10 on page 73 summarizes some of the Snapshot Client features.
Table 5-10 Snapshot Client major features

Snapshot Client feature Key benefit

Array and software snapshot Supports a variety of array and software snapshots
integration and provides a base for all Snapshot Client solutions.

Offhost backup Backup overhead shifts from critical systems to an


alternate backup host.

RMAN proxy and RMAN stream Allows you to intermix off-host full backup and
backup intermixed on-host incremental backup.

The following sections describe the features that Table 5-10 introduces. In
addition, these sections describe additional features as they pertain to
NetBackup for SAP.

Snapshot backup
A snapshot is a disk image of the client's data that is created almost
instantaneously. When it is used with Snapshot Client, NetBackup for SAP backs
up Oracle objects by taking snapshot images of the component files on the local
host. Later it backs up the snapshot version to a storage unit.
Snapshot backup captures the data at a particular instant without causing
significant client downtime. Client operations and user access continue without
interruption during the backup. The resulting capture or snapshot can be
backed up without affecting the performance or availability of the database. You
can perform snapshot backup by using backint or by using RMAN proxy copy.
74 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client overview

Instant recovery
This feature makes backups available for instant recovery from disk. Instant
recovery combines snapshot technology with the ability to do rapid disk-based
restores. NetBackup creates the image without interrupting user access to data.
Optionally, you can specify that the image be retained on disk and backed up to
storage. Instant recovery makes it possible to perform block-level restores, file
promotion, and rollback.

Off-host backup
An off-host backup shifts the burden of the backup process onto a separate
backup agent, such as an alternate client. An off-host backup reduces the effect
on the client's resources that a local backup ordinarily causes. The backup agent
reads the data from the client disk and writes it to storage. You can perform
off-host backups by using backint or by using RMAN proxy.

RMAN proxy copy


Proxy copy is an extension to Oracle's Media Management API. A proxy copy is a
special type of backup in which RMAN turns over control of the data transfer to
the NetBackup for SAP agent. The agent can then manage the entire data
movement between the disks that contain the Oracle data files and the storage
devices that NetBackup manages.
With proxy copy, RMAN provides a list of files that require backup or restore to
the NetBackup for SAP agent. The NetBackup for SAP agent determines how the
data is moved and when to move the data.

RMAN stream-based backups


RMAN stream-based operations are the standard way by which NetBackup for
SAP implements conventional RMAN backups and restores. In a stream-based
backup, NetBackup moves the data that the Oracle server process provides.
NetBackup for SAP captures the data stream content that RMAN provides. If the
user specifies multiple streams, the following occurs:
■ RMAN opens multiple streams
■ NetBackup catalogs the multiple streams as separate images

RMAN proxy and RMAN stream-based backups intermixed


RMAN Proxy backups can be used to perform off-host snapshot based split
mirror full backups. For example, you can use RMAN proxy for weekly full
backups.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 75
How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?

RMAN stream-based backups can be used to perform on-host incremental


backups. In this way you can perform daily backups.
NetBackup for SAP offers you the flexibility to intermix backup methods. You
can specify both RMAN proxy copy off-host snapshot backups and RMAN
stream-based on-host incremental backups. When you perform both types of
backups, you remove the backup load from the production host during full
backups. You also reduce the amount of data for incremental backups.

How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?


NetBackup initiates a database backup when a user requests a backup or when a

schedule indicates that it is time to run a backup. A shell script in the backup

selections list of a NetBackup for SAP policy contains the backup commands.

These are the commands that the brtools need to use to perform the backup.

The brtools include the brbackup command. The brbackup command

initiates backup of the specified objects. The brbackup command provides a list

of physical file names to NetBackup for SAP. For more information, see

“Database objects that are supported by advanced backup methods” on page 80.

Netbackup for SAP verifies that the policy it selected for the backup is

configured with the appropriate Snapshot Client attributes. NetBackup for SAP

then initiates file-based backups of the Oracle files, either through backint or

RMAN proxy. NetBackup determines whether to use backint or RMAN when it

reads the file that is specified as an argument to the -d parameter on the

brbackup command. The NetBackup Snapshot Client interface performs the

data movement.

Before NetBackup for SAP performs the backups, it requests that brbackup or

RMAN put the data files being backed up into backup mode.

NetBackup then creates a snapshot of the files. When the snapshot is complete,

NetBackup for SAP signals back to brbackup or RMAN to take the datafiles out

of backup mode. The datafiles that are selected for backup are in backup mode

only for the period of time necessary to capture a snapshot of the data.

Sequence of operations: backup


The following sections show how NetBackup for SAP performs database split
mirror backups.

SAP Oracle database split mirror backup (using backint)


Figure 5-7 on page 76 shows the sequence of operations when you use backint
to perform a backup.
76 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?

Figure 5-7 SAP Oracle online and offline backups using brbackup and
backint

2. Check policy for Snapshot Client attributes

3. Shut down or put database in backup mode

Production database host


brbackup Oracle database engine backint NetBackup

File system

7. Backup
6. snapshot
Database
mode
online
A and B Mirror
A and B
Files are
4. Create snapshot backed up to
tape or disk

1. File information

5. Snapshot taken

8. Backup image information

When NetBackup for SAP performs a backup by using backint, the following
occurs:
1 NetBackup for SAP receives a list of files to back up from brbackup.
2 Netbackup for SAP queries the policy to check whether the Snapshot Client
policy attributes are specified.
3 When NetBackup for SAP is ready to back up the files, it sends a request to
brbackup to put the data files into backup mode.
Depending on the parameters with which the brbackup command was
invoked, brbackup either shuts down the database or puts the database in
backup mode.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 77
How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?

■ If brbackup is invoked with following command, brbackup shuts


down the database:
# brbackup -d util_file_online -t offline -m all -c force

■ If brbackup is invoked with following command, brbackup puts the


database or tablespace into backup mode:
# brbackup -d util_file_online -t online -m all -c force

4 Netbackup for SAP quickly creates a snapshot of the files to back up. This
operation typically takes a few seconds or minutes.
5 Netbackup for SAP notifies brbackup that the snapshot has been taken and
that the database can be either started or taken out of backup mode.
6 brbackup either starts the database or takes the database out of backup
mode.
7 NetBackup backs up the snapshot that it created.
8 NetBackup returns backup image information to brbackup.

SAP Oracle database split mirror backup (using RMAN proxy)


Figure 5-8 on page 78 shows sequence of operations when you use RMAN proxy
to perform a backup.
78 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?

Figure 5-8 SAP Oracle online and offline backups using RMAN proxy

brbackup
2. Check policy for Snapshot Client attributes

3. Shut down or put database in backup mode

Production database host


RMAN proxy Oracle database engine libobk NetBackup

File system

7. Backup
6. snapshot
Database
mode
online
A and B Mirror
A and B
Files are
4. Create snapshot backed up to
tape or disk

1. File information

5. Snapshot taken

8. Backup image information returned to brbackup


through RMAN

When NetBackup for SAP performs a backup by using RMAN, the following
occurs:
1 NetBackup for SAP receives a list of files to back up from RMAN.
2 Netbackup for SAP queries the policy to check whether the Snapshot Client
policy attributes are specified.
3 When NetBackup for SAP is ready to back up the files, it sends a request to
RMAN. RMAN puts the data files into backup mode or shuts down.
NetBackup sends this request by using an SBT API.
Depending on the parameters with which the brbackup command was
invoked, RMAN either shuts down the database or puts the database in
backup mode.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 79
How does NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client work?

■ If brbackup is invoked with following command, RMAN shuts down


the database:
# brbackup -d rman_util -t offline -m full -c force

■ If brbackup is invoked with following command, RMAN puts the


database or tablespace into backup mode:
# brbackup -d rman_util -t online -m full -c force

4 Netbackup for SAP quickly creates a snapshot of the files to back up. This
operation typically takes a few seconds or minutes.
5 Netbackup for SAP notifies RMAN that the snapshot has been taken and
that the database can be either started or taken out of backup mode.
6 RMAN either starts the database or takes the database out of backup mode.
7 NetBackup backs up the snapshot that it created.
8 NetBackup returns backup image information to brbackup.

Notes on brbackup command parameters


NetBackup for SAP does not perform snapshot backups if the following
parameters are specified on the brbackup command line:
-d util_file -t offline/online

When you specify these parameters, brbackup either shuts down the database
or brbackup puts the database in backup mode. Then brpbackup calls the
NetBackup for SAP agent. The database remains in backup mode for the
duration of entire backup.
There is no value to doing snapshot-based backups in this scenario. The
snapshot technology adds no value because the database is either offline or in
backup mode for several hours. If you initiate backups with these parameters in
effect, NetBackup for SAP performs only standard backups directly to the
secondary device. NetBackup for SAP ignores any snapshot-related
configuration in the policy

Sequence of operation: restore


If you use the NetBackup for SAP Snapshot Client during a backup, you can use
the typical NetBackup for SAP restore process. The Snapshot Client has no
effect on the restore process.
Follow the existing NetBackup for SAP mechanism to perform restores of split
mirror backups or block-level incremental backups. If you use the instant
recovery with rollback option, you need to export the SAP_RESTORE
environment variable. For information on this kind of a restore, see “Restoring
data from a snapshot backup” on page 84.
80 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Configuring snapshot backups

Database objects that are supported by advanced backup methods


The brbackup command and Oracle RMAN control the kinds of database
objects that proxy copy can back up. They also control what NetBackup can back
up using Snapshot Client backup methods. Oracle allows proxy copy backups of
databases, table spaces, and data files.
For profile and configuration files, the NetBackup for SAP backint command
performs standard backups directly to the configured storage unit. NetBackup
for SAP uses advanced methods only when it moves Oracle data files.

Configuring snapshot backups


You can combine two NetBackup features, snapshot backup and instant
recovery, to enable fast database backups and recoveries. These features are as
follows:
■ A snapshot backup occurs when NetBackup creates a point-in-time disk
image of the database and copies that image to disk. This process is nearly
instantaneous, so user access to the database is not interrupted during the
backup.
■ An instant recovery occurs when NetBackup restores the on-disk snapshot
copy of the database.
Another feature, off-host backup, can reduce the I/O processing load on the
client that hosts the database. To use off-host backup, specify an alternate client
(UNIX and Windows clients) or a data mover (UNIX clients only) to assume the
I/O processing load.

Configuration requirements
Each agent has its own hardware requirements, software requirements,
compatibility with certain features, and snapshot methods that are supported.
There are also special requirements for specific types of backups. Refer to the
NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide and the Symantec Support
Web site for more information. Familiarize yourself with this information
before you configure any snapshot backups.
The following list highlights some of the requirements that pertain to database
agents:
■ You should allocate at least two different volumes or file systems for
database activities, as follows:
■ Allocate one or more volumes or file systems to the database data files.
■ Allocate a different set of volumes or file systems to the Oracle
executables, configuration files, and the archive redo logs.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 81
Configuring snapshot backups

One reason for to have two different volumes is to separate the data files
from the other files. If the logs are configured on the same volumes (or file
systems) as the data files, the logs are temporarily frozen while NetBackup
takes the snapshot. The Oracle process cannot access the logs when the
database is active, so the database activity might freeze until the logs
become accessible again. Another reason for writing the data files to their
own repository is because it is required for an instant recovery
point-in-time rollback. Only data files may exist on the volume or file
system being restored.
■ The hardware and software that is required for the appropriate snapshot
method must be installed and configured correctly.
■ NetBackup Snapshot Client must be installed and configured correctly, and
the license key for this option must be registered.
■ To perform off-host backups, perform any special configuration that is
required.
■ To perform Snapshot Client backups or restores through RMAN proxy, you
need brtools version 6.40, patch level 36 or greater.

Configuring an SAP policy with Snapshot Client backup methods


This section explains how to configure snapshot and instant recovery backups
for an SAP policy. For information on how a snapshot method is automatically
selected and details on the types of backup methods, see the NetBackup
Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide.
Snapshot backups do not back up all database objects. Your backup
configuration must include schedule types to perform file-based and
stream-based backups. This configuration ensures that the entire database can
be restored successfully.
For snapshot or instant recovery backups, configure the following policy and
schedules:
■ An SAP policy with the following attributes:
■ A backup method on the policy attributes dialog box.
■ An Automatic Full Backup schedule to perform file-based snapshot and
off-host backups of the datafiles in brbackup phase 1.
■ An Application Backup schedule to back up the profile files in
brbackup phase 2. NetBackup for SAP does not support snapshot
backups for brbackup phase 2.
82 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Configuring snapshot backups

Configuring a snapshot policy


The following procedure shows how to configure a snapshot policy with optional
instant recovery, snapshot retention, and off-host backup.

To configure a snapshot policy


1 Open the policy you want to configure.
2 Click on the Attributes tab.
3 Select the SAP policy type.
Figure 5-9 on page 82 shows the interface that lets you configure a snapshot
policy.

Figure 5-9 Snapshot policy interface

Select the policy type

Select appropriate storage unit


or storage unit group

Click Perform snapshot


backups

(Optional) Click Retain snapshots for


instant recovery

(Optional) Click Perform off-host


backup and specify a method

4 Select a policy storage unit from the Policy storage unit list.
Select a policy storage unit in this step even if you plan to select Instant
Recovery Snapshots Only later in this procedure. NetBackup for SAP uses
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 83
Configuring snapshot backups

this storage unit to back up the profile files and configuration files that are
backed up in brbackup phase 2.
5 Click Perform snapshot backups.
6 (Optional) Click Advanced Snapshot Options to choose a snapshot method.
By default NetBackup chooses a snapshot method for you. To choose a
snapshot method, click auto (the default) or click one of the methods that
are presented in the list.
The snapshot method you can use depends on your hardware environment
and software environment. Only certain snapshot methods are supported in
certain environments. See the NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s
Guide or the supported platforms matrix on the Symantec Support Web site
for more information.
You can configure only one snapshot method per policy. For example,
assume you want one snapshot method for clients a, b, and c, and a different
method for clients d, e, and f. Then you need to create two policies for each
group of clients and select one method for each policy.
7 (Optional) Select Retain snapshots for instant recovery.
When this option is selected, NetBackup retains the snapshot backup image
on disk for later use in recovery.
8 (Optional) Select Perform off-host backup.
By default, the client that hosts the database performs the backup. If you
want to reduce the I/O processing load on the client that hosts the database,
specify an alternate client to perform the backup. Select an off-host backup
method by specifying the following:
■ Use alternate client (UNIX and Windows clients). If you click Use
alternate client, also specify the name of the client to perform the
backup. This option might require additional configuration. The
alternate client must be a client that shares the disk array.
9 Click the Schedules tab.
10 Click New.
Configure both an Automatic schedule and an Application Backup schedule,
as follows:
■ The Automatic schedule is for the database files.
If you want to create only disk images, in the Destination panel, under
Instant Recovery, select Snapshots only. This suppresses NetBackup’s
default behavior, which is to copy the snapshot to a storage unit. When
you select Snapshots only, NetBackup creates the on-disk snapshot
copy of the database, but it does not copy the snapshot to a storage
unit. The on-disk snapshot becomes the only backup copy. Note that
84 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Restoring data from a snapshot backup

the on-disk snapshot is not considered to be a replacement for a


traditional backup.
■ The Application Backup schedule backs up of profile and configuration
files, which are backed up in brbackup phase 2. NetBackup for SAP
copies the profile files or configuration files to the storage unit you
selected.
11 Click the Clients tab.
Specify the clients to be included in this policy.
12 Click the Backup Selections tab.
Specify a backup script. For information about using scripts, see
“Additional snapshot client configuration information” on page 86.
13 Configure other attributes and add any additional schedules and backup
selections.

Restoring data from a snapshot backup


The following sections describe how to restore files, volumes, and file systems
from a snapshot backup.

Restoring individual files


Data that was backed up with Snapshot Client methods is restored in the same
way as data that was backed up without Snapshot Client methods. You can use
the procedure in “Performing a restore” on page 58 to restore data from a
snapshot backup. Use this procedure for the files that were backed up with, or
without, instant recovery enabled. In all cases, NetBackup determines the files
that were backed up, and it initiates a corresponding restore request to the
database agent.
If instant recovery is enabled, NetBackup attempts to restore the file by using
the unique restore methods available with the instant recovery feature. The type
of restore method that NetBackup uses depends on your environment and the
type of backup performed. If NetBackup is unable to use any of the instant
recovery methods, it restores the file in the typical manner. Data is copied from
the snapshot to the primary file system. For information on the instant recovery
methods that NetBackup uses, see the NetBackup Snapshot Client
Administrator’s Guide.

Restoring volumes and file systems using snapshot rollback


You can request that an entire volume or an entire file system be restored from
an instant recovery Snapshot backup. This type of a restore is called a point in
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 85
Restoring data from a snapshot backup

time rollback. All the data in the snapshot is restored; single file restore is not

available in a rollback.

You can perform a snapshot rollback from an instant recovery backup that was

made with the following methods:

■ vxvm snapshot
■ FlashSnap snapshots
The NetBackup Snapshot Client Administrator’s Guide contains more

information on snapshot rollbacks.

The following considerations are relevant for NetBackup for SAP restores:

■ Snapshot rollback overwrites the entire volume.


■ With NetBackup for SAP, snapshot rollback always performs file
verification. The agent checks for the following:
■ The requested files (number and names) are identical to those in the
snapshot
■ The primary volume does not contain any files that were created after
the snapshot was made

If verification fails, the rollback aborts with 249.

■ Snapshot rollback should be used with database files only. Control files and
archive redo logs should exist on different file systems or volumes.

To specify a snapshot rollback restore


■ When you restore BACKINT-based backups with brrestore, set the
following environment variable in the script or on command line:
SAP_RESTORE=rollback
■ When you restore RMAN-based backups with brrestore, add this entry in
initSID.sap file:
rman_send = "'NB_ORA_PC_RESTORE=rollback'"

Notes on restores
An SAP database instance generally contains three instances of control files.
These reside in the following data and archive log directories:
…\saparch\cntrl\cntrlSID.dbf

…\sapdata1\cntrl\cntrlSID.dbf

…\sapdata2\cntrl\cntrlSID.dbf

If the data files in directories sapdata1 and sapdata2 are on one volume, a
snapshot of this volume contains these control files. However, at the time of the
restore, brrestore provides only data files for restore and not control files.
86 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Additional snapshot client configuration information

This is a problem when using the instant recovery with rollback method. For the
rollback method, the files in the snapshot and the files in the restore file list
should match. In this case, the files do not match, so instant recovery rollback
restores method fail.
To avoid this problem, move the control files under locations sapdata1 and
sapdata2 to some other location after you install your SAP database instance.
First stop the database, then move the control files to different locations, adapt
the profile file or spfile accordingly, and restart the database.

Restoring volumes and file systems using Fast File Resync


This method requires the original primary data file to be present at the time of
restore. The brrestore command deletes database files before restores to
avoid permission problems. You can suppress this action by setting an
environment variable. For example, use: BR_NFD = 1 or brrestore command
parameter -NFD.

Troubleshooting
If the rollback restore fails, it might be because the database still has a file open.
Shut down and restart the database to try to correct this problem.

Additional snapshot client configuration


information
The following sections contain the additional configuration information that
you need to configure the Netbackup for SAP snapshot client. The topics in
these sections include backup types, schedule properties, scripts, and
environment variables.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 87
Additional snapshot client configuration information

Backup types
The backup types available on the Schedules tab of the policy play a different
role for NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client backups. The following list
explains these roles:

Backup Type Description

Application Backup The Application Backup schedule enables user-controlled


NetBackup operations from the client. This schedule type allows
operations the client initiates and operations an automatic
schedule initiates from the NetBackup master server. NetBackup
uses the Application Backup schedule when the SAP user starts a
backup manually. Configure at least one Application Backup
schedule for each SAP policy.
By default, an Application Backup is configured automatically.
NetBackup for SAP uses the Application Backup schedule to back
up the profile files that are backed up in brbackup phase 2.

Automatic Full An Automatic Full Backup schedule specifies the dates and times
Backup on which NetBackup is to start backups. Backups commence by
running the SAP scripts automatically in the order they appear in
the file list. If there is more than one client in the SAP policy,
NetBackup for SAP runs the SAP scripts on each client. You must
configure the Automatic Full Backup schedule in order for
Snapshot Client methods to back up Oracle data files.

Automatic In a differential incremental backup NetBackup for SAP backs up all


Differential data blocks that changed since the most recent full or incremental
Incremental Backup backup. This type of backup can be used with the Snapshot Client
BLI method.

Automatic In a cumulative incremental backup, NetBackup for SAP backs up


Cumulative all data blocks that changed since the most recent full backup. This
Incremental Backup type of backup can be used with the Snapshot Client BLI method or
for RMAN stream-based incrementals.
Cumulative incremental backups reduce the work that is needed for
a restore. You only need one cumulative incremental backup from
any particular level at restore time. However, cumulative backups
typically require more space and time than differential incremental
backups. Cumulative backups duplicate the data that was captured
in previous backups at same level.
88 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Additional snapshot client configuration information

Backup scripts
NetBackup for SAP installs sample scripts in the following location:
C:\Program Files\VERITAS\NetBackup\DbExt\SAP\samples

You can use some of the sample scripts as they are, or with a little modification,
you can use them to perform snapshot backups. The scripts are as follows:
■ sap_online_backup.cmd. This script sets environment variables and
calls brbackup with the appropriate options to perform online backups of
the Oracle database through backint.
■ sap_rman_backup.cmd. By default, this script performs offline backups of
the Oracle database through RMAN.
You can use this script to perform online snapshot backups of Oracle
through RMAN proxy. Change the brbackup commands in this script to
read as follows:
@if "%SAP_FULL%" EQU "1" @set CMD_LINE=%BRBACKUP% -u internal/ -c -d rman_util -t

online -m full

@if "%SAP_CINC%" EQU "1" @set CMD_LINE=%BRBACKUP% -u internal/ -c -d rman_util -t

online -m incr

The following section explains how to configure RMAN to perform proxy


backups.

Additional configuration that is required for brbackup using RMAN


proxy
If you want to perform backups by using brbackup through RMAN proxy, add
following lines in the initSID.sap file:
rman_proxy = yes
rman_send = "'NB_ORA_PC_SCHED=auto_sched_name'"

Intermixing RMAN stream and RMAN proxy backups


You can intermix the split-mirror full backups that use RMAN proxy with the
standard incremental backups that use RMAN stream methods. Use RMAN
proxy file-based backups for weekly full backups using snapshot methods. Use
RMAN stream-based incremental backups for daily backups. To intermix backup
methods, perform the following additional configuration procedure.

To configure an intermixed split-mirror backup method


1 Copy initSID.sap to the init_fullSID.sap and initI_incrSID.sap
files.
2 Edit the init_fullSID.sap and initI_incrSID.sap files as follows:
■ Specify the rman_parms parameter.
NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client 89
Additional snapshot client configuration information

■ Set the NB_ORA_SAP environment variable to the initSID.utl path.


3 In the init_fullSID.sap file.
■ Enable the rman_proxy flag.
■ Set the following, where auto_sched is the name of the automatic
schedule:
rman_send = "'NB_ORA_PC_SCHED=auto_sched'"

4 Copy following sample script to a different location on your client:


C:\Program Files\VERITAS\NetBackup\DbExt\SAP\samples\sap_rman_backup.cmd

5 Open the script using your favorite editor and modify the condition as
follows:
@if "%SAP_FULL%" EQU "1" @set CMD_LINE=%BRBACKUP% -u internal/ -c -d rman_util -t

offline -m full -p initFullSID.sap

@if "%SAP_CINC%" EQU "1" @set CMD_LINE=%BRBACKUP% -u internal/ -c -d rman_util -t

offline -m incr -p initIncrSID.sap

6 Specify the script from step 4 on page 89 in the backup selection of your
NetBackup for SAP policy

Performing user-directed backups


For scheduled backups, the Netbackup scheduler automatically exports or sets
all the environment variables and system settings necessary to run the backups.
However, if a user wants to initiate backups, certain environment variables need
to be set.
A user can initiate a backup in one of the following ways:
■ By running the brbackup command from the command line.
■ By running a script that contains the brbackup command.
If you want to enable user-initiated backups, set the following in your
environment:
■ Set the following environment variable:
SAP_SNC_SCHED=schedule_name_of_backup_type_to_perform

■ Set the schedule parameter in the initSID.utl file to Application Backup


schedule. Netbackup for SAP uses this schedule for backing up control files,
configuration files, and archive redo log files.
■ Additionally, if you plan to run the sap_rman_backup script from the
command line, export the following before you run the script:
SAP_FULL = 1 (for performing full backups)
SAP_CINC = 1 (for performing cumulative incremental backups)
90 NetBackup for SAP with Snapshot Client
Additional snapshot client configuration information
Chapter 6
NetBackup for SAP on
MaxDB databases
This chapter contains the following topics:
■ “Configuration” on page 91
■ “Creating a backup medium” on page 92
■ “Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to perform backups and
restores” on page 92
This chapter describes how to use NetBackup for SAP and describes the
differences between using an Oracle versus a MaxDB database with NetBackup
for SAP.
For more information about MaxDB databases, see your MaxDB documentation.

Note: NetBackup documentation uses the terms media or medium to refer to


removable media tape and optical disk cartridges in a storage unit. NetBackup
writes a backup file to a storage medium. MaxDB database documentation,
however, uses the term backup medium to include the named pipes and other
entities needed for performing backups. This manual uses the term backup
medium when referring to backing up MaxDB database files.

Configuration
To configure NetBackup for SAP in a MaxDB database environment, follow the
directions in “Configuration” on page 25. No additional steps are required, but
because “Modifying the configuration files” on page 41 contains information for
both Oracle and MaxDB database environments, follow only the instructions in
that section that pertain to MaxDB databases.
92 NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases
Creating a backup medium

MaxDB databases require you to create a backup medium. For information on


how to do this, see “Creating a backup medium” on page 92.

Creating a backup medium


As part of the configuration process, also create at least one backup medium. Do

this before you perform any backups.

MaxDB databases require at least one backup medium before a backup or restore

can be performed. This section shows how to create a backup medium by

entering commands.

To create a backup medium


◆ Use the DBM CLI interface and enter the following commands:
OS_prompt% dbmcli -d database_name -u usr,passwd

dbmcli> medium_put medium_name medium_path PIPE backup_type

where

database_name Name of the SAP database

usr MaxDB user name.

passwd MaxDB password.

medium_name Name of the backup medium. The first 4 characters must be


BACK. The medium_name must be in format BACKname. For
example, BACKData.

medium_path Full path to the named pipe. For example,


\\.\PIPE\medium1.

backup_type Specify one of the following:


■ DATA for a full data backup
■ PAGES for an incremental data backup
■ LOG for a log backup

Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to


perform backups and restores
The NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database does not include the SAP backup
and restore tools. You can initiate backup and restore operations through the
MaxDB administrative interface when you invoke one of the following
interfaces:
■ DBM GUI
NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases 93
Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to perform backups and restores

■ DBM CLI
■ Web DBM
For example, when you issue a backup command using the MaxDB
administrative interface through the DBM CLI, the following occurs:
1 The DBM CLI communicates with the MaxDB server, which creates one or
more named pipes.
2 The MaxDB server streams the data from the MaxDB instance to the named
pipes.
3 The MaxDB server calls NetBackup for SAP with a list of named pipes.
4 NetBackup for SAP reads named pipes and sends data to NetBackup.
In the case of a restore, the process is the same except that data goes the other
way.

Performing a backup
The following procedure shows how to perform a backup.

To perform a backup
1 Make sure that you have modified the proper configuration files and created
a backup medium.
2 Type the following command to start a utility session:
dbmcli> util_connect

3 Type the following command to initiate the backup:


dbmcli> backup_start medium_name backup_type

where:

medium_name Name of the backup medium.

backup_type Specify either DATA, PAGES, or LOG.

Performing a query
Prior to performing a restore, use the following procedure to query backup
information and to obtain a listing of backup information. This information is
needed for a restore.
94 NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases
Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to perform backups and restores

To perform a query
◆ Type the following commands to obtain the backup identifier:
dbmcli> backup_ext_ids_get medium_name database_name server

dbmcli> backup_ext_ids_list

where:

medium_name Name of the backup medium.

database_name Name of the SAP database.

server Name of the server that hosts the MaxDB database.

Performing a restore
To perform a restore
1 Use the procedure in “To perform a query” on page 94 to obtain the external
backup identification information.
2 Type the following command to initiate the restore:
dbmcli> recover_start medium_name backup_type ExternalBackupId "BID"

where:

medium_name Name of the backup medium.

backup_type Specify either DATA, PAGES, or LOG.

BID The backup identifier. This information is returned when you

perform a query.

Performing backups and restores using parallel medium groups

Note: Parallel backups are optional only for data backups.

Parallel backups and restores are used to improve backup and restore
performance.
■ You can combine individual backup mediums to form parallel mediums.
Parallel mediums allow you to implement multiplexing. When parallel
mediums are used for backup, the MaxDB database passes two or more
named pipes to NetBackup for SAP. NetBackup for SAP starts as many
backup streams as there are named pipes. It processes each named pipe
independently from the rest of the named pipes in the backup job.
NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases 95
Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to perform backups and restores

■ Even if a backup is done in parallel, you can perform a restore of that data in
either parallel or sequential mode. In other words, parallel backups do not
require parallel restores.
When the MaxDB database requests a parallel restore by listing multiple
named pipes in an input file, NetBackup for SAP processes each pipe
independently from the rest of the named pipes. Note that the MaxDB
database requires that the number of media in a group of parallel media
equal the number of media used during backup.
96 NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases
Using NetBackup for SAP on a MaxDB database to perform backups and restores
Chapter 7
Troubleshooting
This chapter includes the following topics:
■ “Setting the debug level” on page 97
■ “NetBackup reports” on page 98
■ “sapdba logs and messages (Oracle-based SAP environments only)” on
page 100
■ “Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores” on page 101
This chapter explains the processes and resources that can help you
troubleshoot NetBackup for SAP. These resources include the logs and reports
that NetBackup, NetBackup for SAP, and the SAP tools provide. These reports
are useful for finding errors associated with those applications.

Setting the debug level


You can control the amount of information written to the debugging logs in the
install_path\NetBackup\logs\ directories by changing the database
debug level. Typically, the default value of 0 is sufficient. However, Technical
Support might ask you to set the value higher when a problem is being analyzed.
You can set a debug level to a value ranging from 0 to 5. A level of 5 provides the
most detail.

To change the debugging level


1 From the Windows Start menu, choose Programs > Veritas NetBackup >
Backup, Archive, and Restore.
2 Choose File > NetBackup Client Properties.
3 In the NetBackup Client Properties dialog box, select the Troubleshooting
tab.
By default, the setting is 0.
98 Troubleshooting
NetBackup reports

4 Set the database debug level.

Note: Information from both settings is logged to the same file, mmddyy.log

NetBackup reports

The NetBackup server and client software allow you to enable detailed
debugging logs. The information in these log files can help you troubleshoot
problems that occur outside of either the database agent or the SAP tools.
Note the following with regard to these logs:
■ These logs do not reveal errors that occur when SAP tools is running unless
those errors also affect NetBackup. SAP might (or might not) write to the
NetBackup logs for errors in the application. Your best sources for SAP error
information are the logs provided by SAP.
■ Generally, each debug log corresponds to a NetBackup process and
executable.
For information about the debugging log files, see the NetBackup
Troubleshooting Guide and the
install_path\NetBackup\logs\README.debug file.

Enabling logging
You can enable debug logging by running a batch file that creates each log
directory. Or, you can manually create the directories for the log files you want
created.

To create all log file directories automatically


◆ Run the following:
install_path\NetBackup\logs\mklogdir.bat

To enable the database agent logs

1 Create the following directories on the client in a DOS window:

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpbackup

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpbkar32

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bphdb

install_path\NetBackup\logs\bprestore

install_path\NetBackup\logs\tar32

install_path\NetBackup\logs\backint

Troubleshooting 99
NetBackup reports

For example:
cd install_path\NetBackup\logs

mkdir bphdb

2 (Conditional) If you are running NetBackup for SAP on Oracle with RMAN,
create the following additional directory:
install_path\NetBackup\logs\dbclient

3 Make sure there is share access to the log directories.


4 Enable logging for the nbpem, nbjm, and nbrb scheduling processes, which
use unified logging.
NetBackup writes unified logs to install_path\NetBackup\logs. You
do not need to create log directories for processes that use unified logging.
For information on using logs and reports, see the NetBackup
Troubleshooting Guide.

Accessing the log files


The following sections describe the logs created when you create the log
directories. Use a text editor to view the contents of the logs.

bphdb directory on the client


The install_path\NetBackup\logs\bphdb directory contains the
following types of logs:
sap_stdout.mmddyy.hhmmss.txt

Unless redirected elsewhere, NetBackup writes SAP script output


to this file.
sap_stderr.mmddyy.hhmmss.txt

Unless redirected elsewhere, NetBackup writes SAP script errors


to this file.
mmddyy.log
bphdb is the NetBackup database backup binary. This log contains
debugging information for the bphdb process. NetBackup for SAP
uses this client process for SAP script execution. It is invoked when
an automatic backup schedule is run.

backint directory on the client


The install_path\NetBackup\logs\backint directory contains the
following execution log:
mmddyy.log

100 Troubleshooting
sapdba logs and messages (Oracle-based SAP environments only)

This log contains debugging information and execution status for


the SAP NetBackup client processes linked to the library program
provided with NetBackup for SAP.

NetBackup server reports


NetBackup provides other reports that are useful in isolating problems. One
such report is All Logs Entries on the server. For information on server reports,
see the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide.

sapdba logs and messages


(Oracle-based SAP environments only)
The SAP tools log provides information on SAP operations. You can check the
log files to determine the ultimate success or failure of database backups and
restores.
You can view the backup and restore logs in the following ways:
■ Through the following sapdba menu options: Show>Cleanup and Show
log files>profiles.
■ In the directories for brbackup and brrestore log information and
brarchive log information.

Backup and restore log files


The following folder contains log files for different types of backups and
restores:
%SAPDATA_HOME%\sapbackup

The files in this folder are named according to the following pattern:
■ The summary log file is named backSID.log, where SID is the unique
name for the Oracle database instance.
■ The detail log files are named encoded_timestamp.xyz, where:

encoded_timestamp A timestamp used in each detail log name that guarantees a


unique file name.

xyz for backup logs:

x a represents all. p represents partial.

y n represents online. f represents offline.

z f represents utility_file_backup
Troubleshooting 101
Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores

xyz for restore logs:

xyz rsb represents restore backup files.

xyz rsa represents restore archive files.

xyz rsf represents restore individual files.

Archive log files


The following folder contains log files for different types of archive activities:
%SAPDATA_HOME%\saparch

The files in this folder are named according to a pattern. The


encoded_timestamp is a timestamp used in each detail log name that
guarantees a unique file name. The file suffixes differentiate the different types
of archive logs, as follows:

File name Meaning

encoded_timestamp.sve Original saved.

encoded_timestamp.svd Original saved and deleted.

encoded_timestamp.cpy Original copied/saved a second time.

encoded_timestamp.cpd Original copied/saved a second time and deleted.

encoded_timestamp.dcp Deleted that were saved twice.

encoded_timestamp.dsv Deleted that were saved.

Minimizing timeout failures on large database


restores
Large database restores sometimes fail when multiple restore sessions compete
for resources. In this situation, a restore session can be delayed while waiting for
media or device access. If the delay is too long, the restore session times out. Use
the following procedures to minimize session timeouts and to allow the restores
to complete successfully.

To minimize database session timeouts


1 In the NetBackup administration console, expand NetBackup Management
> Host Properties > Clients
102 Troubleshooting
Minimizing timeout failures on large database restores

2 Set the Client read timeout property to a large value.


The default for the Client read timeout setting is 300 seconds (5 minutes).
For database agent clients, increase the value significantly from the value
recommended in the NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume 1. For
example, change this setting to 30-60 minutes to minimize timeout errors.
3 Click OK for each client.
Appendix A
backint command line
The NetBackup for SAP backint interface communicates instructions from the
SAP tools to NetBackup. The backint interface implements the SAP system’s
BC-BRI BACKINT Interface specification.

Note: Symantec recommends that you use the backint command only with
guidance from a technical support staff member.

The backint interface performs the following functions:


■ The backup function. The backup function of the backint interface
supports and defines the SAP brbackup and brarchive tools to
NetBackup. brbackup and brarchive communicate with the backint
interface through an in_file and an out_file parameter. The in_file
parameter includes a list of files to be backed up or archived. The out_file
parameter reports the status for each file and assigns a backup ID (BID) to
each file. In the event of a partial backup, this function can identify
successfully backed up files to the user.
■ The restore function. The restore function of the backint interface
supports and defines the brrestore tool to NetBackup. It communicates
with the backint interface through the in_file parameter and
out_file parameter. The in_file parameter includes a list of files to be
restored through NetBackup. It also includes the BID assigned during the
backup function. The out_file parameter contains the status of the
restore for each file. When the NetBackup restore operation is complete, the
restore function lists successfully restored files. It also lists BIDs used
during the operation.
The BID is assigned by NetBackup during the backup function. It can
identify one or more backup runs, a single file backup, or a group of files.
During a backup function, the BID is submitted to the out_file parameter.
During the restore and inquiry functions, the BID can only be set in the
in_file parameter.
104

If the BID is not set, the restore function uses the BID of the last backup. As
an option, this function can also include a list of directories into which files
will be restored.
■ The inquiry function. The inquiry function supports and defines the
sapdba tool to NetBackup. sapdba uses the in_file parameter and the
out_file parameter to collect backup information. The in_file
parameter contains optional BIDs and file names.
If only a #NULL is received on the in_file parameter, a list of BIDs is
generated to the out_file parameter. If a BID is received, a list of files
belonging to the BID is generated. If a file name is entered along with the
#NULL, a list of BIDs containing that file is listed.
The backint command line uses the following syntax:
backint -u user_id -f function [-t type] -p par_file [-i in_file] [-o out_file]
The following list shows the backint command options. As noted in this list,
some options are required and others are optional.

Option Arguments and purpose

-u user_id Required. UID for backup utility user. No default.

-f function Required. It defines a key value that performs different functions between
SAP and NetBackup. Specify one of the following arguments:
■ backup - This argument supports and defines brbackup and
brarchive to NetBackup. If backup is specified, NetBackup backs
up SAP.
■ restore - This argument supports and defines brrestore to
NetBackup. If restore is specified, NetBackup restores SAP.
■ inquiry - This argument supports and defines sapdba to
NetBackup. sapdba uses this argument when a recovery is performed
to get backup information for NetBackup.

-t type Optional. It defines the backup type, the backup of individual files, and
character special devices. If no type is specified, the default value of file
is used. Specify one of the following arguments:
■ file - Defines when to perform a backup, restore, and inquiry
function with data files and special character devices. Backups from
folders are not supported. Default.
■ file_online - Allows brbackup to set tablespace into
#BEGIN/#END backup mode when a related file backup takes place. It
is used for online backups only. The architecture is based on three
control files defined in the -p par_file parameter.
105

Option Arguments and purpose

-p par_file Required. It is a text file that contains comments, parameters (required


and optional), and parameter values. These parameters determine the
backup and restore procedure between NetBackup and the SAP tools. The
following list explains the components of par_file:
■ A pound character (#) in column one denotes a comment. Any other
character in column one is considered valid.
■ All required parameters must be specified with a valid value before
the NetBackup for SAP backint interface can execute correctly.
■ You can comment out an optional parameter by placing a # in column
one. If optional parameters are specified, they must have valid values
for the NetBackup for SAP backint interface to run correctly. If an
invalid parameter name is found, the NetBackup for SAP backint
interface reports a warning message and continues.
The SAP tools parameter file specifies the location of this par_file. For
an example file, see the following:
install_path\NetBackup\dbext\sap\initSAP.utl

For information on input file contents, see “Parameters used in


initSID.utl” on page 115.

-i in_file Optional. Specifies a text file, the contents of which can vary, depending on
the NetBackup for SAP backint interface function initiated. If this option
is not specified, the content of this file is data from standard input. For
information on input file contents, refer to “backint -i in_file contents” on
page 107.

-o out_file Optional. Specifies a text file that contains process messages for a
function. If this option is not specified, the output is written to standard
output. For information on output file contents, refer to “backint -o
out_file contents” on page 109.
106

Appendix B
backint -i in_file contents
This appendix explains how to create a backint input file. You specify the
name of this input file as the argument to the backint command’s
-i in_file option. The input file consists of one or more directive lines that
specify how to perform a backup, restore, or inquiry.
The input file format differs depending on the function you want backint to
initiate and on the underlying database. The following table shows the directives
you can include in in_file and indicates the databases that use them.

Directive Underlying database

Directives for an input file that requests a backup:

file Oracle

pipe #PIPE MaxDB

special_file size Oracle

Directives for an input file that requests a restore:

backup_id file [dest_dir] Oracle

#NULL file [dest_dir] Oracle

backup_id pipe [dest_name] MaxDB

#NULL pipe [dest_name] MaxDB

Directives for an input file that performs an inquiry:

#NULL Oracle and MaxDB

backup_id Oracle and MaxDB

#NULL file Oracle

#NULL pipe MaxDB


108

Directive Underlying database

backup_id file Oracle

backup_id pipe MaxDB

Specify the following for the variables in the in_file:

Variable Specification

file The full path name of the file that you are backing up, restoring,
or inquiring about.

pipe A named pipe. Specify the keyword #PIPE after the pipe name.

special_file The name of a special file, such as a raw device file.

size The file size as specified to the Oracle database.

backup_id The BID, or backup identifier, as generated by NetBackup.

dest_dir The name of a directory or folder to which the restore is written.

dest_name The name of a pipe to which the restore is written.

If you use the #NULL keyword, backint uses the most recent version of the file
or pipe.
Appendix C
backint -o out_file
contents
This appendix contains the following topics:
■ “Information returned for a backup” on page 109
■ “Information returned for a restore” on page 109
■ “Information returned for an inquiry” on page 110
When the backint command finishes, it writes an output file to the file
specified by the -o out_file option on its command line. The contents of the
output text file change depending on the function backint performed.
This appendix explains the backint output returned from a backup, restore, or
inquiry request.

Information returned for a backup


If a backup completes successfully, the output file includes the following:
■ The backup ID (BID) assigned to the backup by NetBackup.
■ The files, pipes, directories, or folders backed up and their sizes.
If a backup function fails, the output file lists the files or pipes that it could not
back up.

Information returned for a restore


If a restore completes successfully, the output file entry includes the following:
■ The BID.
■ The files or pipes restored.
110
Information returned for an inquiry

If a restore function fails, the output file lists the files and pipes not found. It
also lists the files and pipes that were not successfully restored.

Information returned for an inquiry


If an inquiry completes successfully, the output file entry includes the following:
■ The BID.
■ The files or pipes backed up.
Appendix D
Environment variables

The NetBackup for SAP backint interface recognizes the following


environment variables:

Environment variable Purpose

%SAP_CLIENT% Sets the name of the NetBackup client. It can be used to override
the current client and perform an alternate restore to a different
client. This variable is the same as the client parameter in the
initSID.utl file and the CLIENT_NAME option in the
NetBackup Configuration GUI.

%SAP_DRIVES% Sets the number of simultaneous bpbackup/bprestore


operations the NetBackup for SAP backint interface can
execute. This environment variable is the same as the drives
parameter in the initSID.utl file.

%SAP_POLICY% Sets the name of the NetBackup policy. You can use this policy
to define different types of database backups. You can use one
policy type to perform offline database backups and another
policy type to perform archive log backups. This environment
variable is the same as the policy parameter in the
initSID.utl file and the BPBACKUP_POLICY option in the
NetBackup Configuration GUI.

%SAP_RECOVERY Set this environment variable to “disaster” while running


disaster recovery using BRRECOVER. If the initDBSID.sap file
is not present, BRRECOVER calls BACKINT without the “-p
initDBSID.utl” parameter. If Netbackup for SAP is called
without the util file parameter, then it expects that the
SAP_RECOVERY environment variable is set to “disaster”.

%SAP_RESTORE Set this environment variable to “rollback” to specify a


snapshot rollback restore from BACKINT-based backups.
112

Environment variable Purpose

%SAP_SCHED% Sets the name of the SAP backup policy schedule. This schedule
provides an easy way to switch to a different schedule for each
SAP database backup. This environment variable is the same as
the schedule parameter in the initSID.utl file and the
BPBACKUP_SCHED option in the NetBackup Configuration GUI.

%SAP_SNC_SCHED% Sets the name of the SAP backup policy schedule. This schedule
is used to perform file-based snapshot and off-host backups of
the datafiles in brbackup phase 1. The following types of
schedules can be used for this type of backup: Automatic Full,
Automatic Differential Incremental, or Automatic Cumulative
Incremental.

%SAP_SERVER% Sets the name of the NetBackup server. It can be used to


override the current server and perform a backup to an
alternative server. This environment variable is the same as the
server parameter in the initSID.utl file and the SERVER
option in the NetBackup Configuration GUI.
Appendix E
NetBackup configuration
GUI settings
You can specify parameters in several places. In the case of conflicts, the order
of precedence is as follows:

Setting Precedence

Environment variables Highest precedence. Overrides values in


initSID.utl and in the NetBackup
Configuration GUI.

initSID.util file Medium precedence. Values in environment


variables override values specified in this file,
but values in this file override those in the
NetBackup Configuration GUI.

Netbackup Configuration GUI Lowest precedence. Values in environment


variables and in initSID.utl override
values specified in the NetBackup
Configuration GUI.

The following list shows the variable names and definitions you can use in the
NetBackup Configuration GUI:

Variable Meaning

%SERVER% Specifies the NetBackup server. This option is the same as the
%SAP_SERVER% environment variable and the server
parameter in the initSID.util file.

%CLIENT_NAME% Specifies the NetBackup client. This option is the same as the
%SAP_CLIENT% environment variable and the client
parameter in the initSID.util file.
114

Variable Meaning

%BPBACKUP_POLICY% Specifies the NetBackup policy. This option is the same as the
%SAP_POLICY% environment variable and the policy
parameter in the initSID.util file.

%BPBACKUP_SCHED% Specifies the NetBackup schedule. This option is the same as the
%SAP_SCHED% environment variable and the schedule
parameter in the initSID.util file.

For more information on the NetBackup Configuration GUI settings, see the
NetBackup Administrator’s Guide, Volume II.
Appendix F
Parameters used in
initSID.utl
This appendix includes the following topics:
■ “Parameter summary” on page 115
■ “Parameters” on page 117
This appendix shows the parameters you can specify in the initSID.utl
configuration file. The software passes these parameters to the backint
interface through its -p parfile option.
Unless otherwise noted, the parameters in this appendix section apply to the
following environments:
■ NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases without RMAN
■ NetBackup for SAP on Oracle databases with RMAN
■ NetBackup for SAP on MaxDB databases
Where necessary, the parameter descriptions in this appendix indicate whether
they apply to only one or two of these environments. In addition, because not all
parameters are useful when restoring NetBackup for SAP 6.5 images, the
parameter descriptions indicate this.

Parameter summary
The following list summarizes the parameters and the database environments
that support them:

Parameter name Underlying database and usage notes

backint_dir Oracle without RMAN

backup_stream_buffersize MaxDB
116
Parameter summary

Parameter name Underlying database and usage notes

bplist_filter Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB
Use only to restore images backed up with a
NetBackup for SAP release prior to 6.0.

client Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

custom_sort_file Oracle without RMAN

drives Oracle without RMAN

inquire_query_period Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

master_time_offset Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

media_notify_script Use only to restore images backed up with a


NetBackup for SAP release prior to 6.0.

policy Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

policy2 Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

restore_filter Use only to restore images backed up with a


NetBackup for SAP release prior to 6.0.

restore_stream_buffersize MaxDB

retry_backup Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB
117
Parameters

Parameter name Underlying database and usage notes

schedule Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

schedule2 Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

server Oracle without RMAN


Oracle with RMAN
MaxDB

sleep Use only to restore images backed up with a


NetBackup for SAP release prior to 6.0.

sort_backup_type Oracle without RMAN

sort_restore_type Oracle without RMAN


Use only to restore images backed up with a
NetBackup for SAP release prior to 6.0.

switch_list Oracle without RMAN

switch_log Oracle without RMAN

switch_sem Oracle without RMAN

Parameters
The following sections describe the individual parameters.

backup_stream_buffersize size

This parameter specifies the buffer size, in bytes, for stream-based backups.
NetBackup receives data from MaxDB through the stream (pipe). When MaxDB
passes the data to NetBackup, it uses this buffer size. Also see the
restore_stream_buffersize parameter.

client client_machine_name

This parameter specifies the machine that contains the NetBackup client
software, a database, and an SAP environment. In some cases the server and
client machine are the same machine. The following is an example:
118
Parameters

client saturn
If the NetBackup for SAP backint interface finds the %SAP_CLIENT%
environment variable, the %SAP_CLIENT% environment variable value
overrides the client parameter value. If the client parameter is not
specified, and there is no environment variable, then the client parameter
value defaults to the specification for the CLIENT_NAME option in the
NetBackup Configuration GUI. If the value is not specified in the NetBackup
Configuration GUI, the NetBackup for SAP backint interface uses the value
returned by the gethostname()library function.

custom_sort_file file_path

Note: Not applicable in MaxDB database environments or in Oracle database


environments that use RMAN.

Specify this parameter only when the sort_backup_type or the


sort_restore_type parameters are set to custom. When custom is
specified, set the custom_sort_file parameter to a valid file. The file_path
value must be a full path name to a custom sort file that an end user created, and
it must have public permissions. The following is an example argument to the
custom_sort_file parameter:
install_path\NetBackup\dbext\SAP\Samples\sap_custom_sort_file
The custom sort file must include two fields. The first field groups a set of files
into a particular bpbackup job. The second field is a file path name that maps
the SAP backup file list to a group ID.
The following is an example of a custom sort file:
1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\clud_1\clud.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\ddicd_1\ddicd.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata5\ddici_1\ddici.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\el30cd_1\EL30cd.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\el30ci_1\el30ci.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata6\es30cd_1\es30cd.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\poold_1\poold.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1

1 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\protd_1\protd.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\roll_1\roll.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\sourced_1\sourced.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata3\stabd_1\stabd.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\stabi_2\stabi.data2

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\temp_1\temp.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\user1d_1\user1d.data1

119
Parameters

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\user1i_1\user1i.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\system_1\system.data1

2 c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g1_m1\log1_m1.dbf

2 c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g2_m1\log2_m1.dbf

2 c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g3_m1\log3_m1.dbf

2 c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g4_m1\log4_m1.dbf

2 c:\oracle\sap\dbs\cntrlSAP.dbf

Based on the preceding custom sort file, if SAP submits the entire file list to be
backed up, there would be two bpbackup jobs running at the same time. The
first job includes all the files that have a 1 in the first field. The second job
includes all the files that have a 2 in the first field. The following is a list of jobs
and associated files:
■ Backup and restore job 1:
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\clud_1\clud.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\ddicd_1\ddicd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata5\ddici_1\ddici.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\el30cd_1\EL30cd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\el30ci_1\el30ci.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata6\es30cd_1\es30cd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\poold_1\poold.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\protd_1\protd.data1

c:\dev\rdsk\c0t4d0s6

■ Backup and restore job 2:


c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\roll_1\roll.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\sourced_1\sourced.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata3\stabd_1\stabd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\stabi_2\stabi.data2

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\temp_1\temp.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\user1d_1\user1d.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\user1i_1\user1i.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\system_1\system.data1

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g1_m1\log1_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g2_m1\log2_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g3_m1\log3_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g4_m1\log4_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\dbs\cntrlSAP.dbf

drives number_of_drives

Note: Not applicable in MaxDB database environments or in Oracle database


environments that use RMAN.
120
Parameters

This parameter specifies the number of bpbackup and bprestore commands


to run. To maximize write performance to a storage unit, set the drives value
to the number of storage units multiplied by the multiplex value per schedule.
Based on the number of drives specified, the NetBackup for SAP backint
interface simultaneously runs the same number of bpbackup and bprestore
commands.
If, for example, multiplexing is set to 4 and there are two available tape drives,
set the drives parameter to 8 (4 X 2). The NetBackup for SAP backint
interface runs eight bpbackup/bprestore jobs at the same time with four data
streams going to each tape. The drives parameter should be set to the
following rule:
drives = Number_of_drives_per_policy X MPX_value_in_schedule
The drives parameter value must not exceed the set maximum jobs per client
global attribute. The following is an example entry:
drives 5
If the NetBackup for SAP backint interface finds the %SAP_DRIVES%
environment variable, the %SAP_DRIVES% environment variable value
overrides the drives parameter value. If the drives parameter is not specified
and there is no environment variable, then the NetBackup for SAP backint
interface exits with an error.

inquiry_query_period months

In the case of #NULL based inquiry queries, NetBackup for SAP restricts the
catalog search to the last six months by default. You can use this parameter to
specify a different query period. Specify an integer value for months. For
example, if you want to set the query to the last 10 months, set this parameter as
follows:
inquiry_query_period 10

policy policy_name

This parameter specifies the name of an SAP policy defined in NetBackup. The
SAP policy must have an Application Backup schedule defined in order for the
NetBackup for SAP backint interface to work. The following is an example
entry:
policy sap_nb
If the NetBackup for SAP backint interface finds the %SAP_POLICY%
environment variable, the %SAP_POLICY% environment variable value
overrides the policy parameter value. If the policy parameter is not
specified, and there is no environment variable, then the policy parameter
value defaults to the specification for the BPBACKUP_POLICY option in the
NetBackup Configuration GUI. By default, if BPBACKUP_POLICY is not specified
121
Parameters

in any NetBackup Configuration GUI, NetBackup uses the first active SAP policy
type it finds for the client with an Application Backup schedule.

policy2 policy_name

This parameter specifies the name of a policy to be used for the secondary SAP
backup. A secondary backup is performed for each SAP database backup on files
that are needed to track SAP backup information. You can use this option to
save the backup information on a different media. If policy2 is not specified
and schedule2 is specified, then NetBackup uses the value specified for the
policy parameter.

restore_stream_buffersize size

This parameter specifies the buffer size, in bytes, for stream-based restores.
MaxDB receives data from NetBackup through the stream (pipe). When MaxDB
receives the data from NetBackup and copies it to the pipe, it uses this buffer
size. For more information, see the backup_stream_buffersize parameter.

retry_backup number_of_retries

This parameter specifies the number of retries for a failed backup. When
specified, backint retries a failed bpbackup job the specified number of times.
For example:
retry_backup 2

schedule schedule_name

This parameter specifies the name of an Application Backup schedule associated


with an SAP policy type. The schedule can define aspects of the backup such as
how long NetBackup retains images, maximum multiplexing per drive, storage
unit, and volume pool. The following is an example entry:
schedule sap_full_backup
If the NetBackup for SAP backint interface finds the %SAP_SCHED%
environment variable, the %SAP_SCHED% environment variable value overrides
the schedule parameter value. If the schedule parameter is not specified and
there is no environment variable, then the schedule parameter value defaults
to the BPBACKUP_SCHED option in the NetBackup Configuration GUI. If
BPBACKUP_SCHED is not specified in the NetBackup Configuration GUI,
NetBackup uses the first Application Backup schedule it finds in the first active
SAP policy.
122
Parameters

schedule2 schedule_name

This parameter specifies name of an Application Backup schedule to be used for


the secondary SAP backup. If it is not specified, the schedule parameter value
is used.
For each SAP backup, NetBackup performs two individual backups. The first
backup backs up database data. The second backup backs up log files needed to
track SAP backup information. You can use this parameter to save SAP log files
to a different media. This can make it easier to restore a database. You can also
use this option to save the backup information to a different volume pool. The
following is an example entry:
schedule2 sap_backup_information

server server_name

This parameter specifies the name of the NetBackup master server. The
NetBackup master server is the name of the machine that provides most of the
administration and control for NetBackup operations. It contains the NetBackup
database. The following is an example entry:
server jupiter
If the NetBackup for SAP backint interface finds a %SAP_SERVER%
environment variable, the %SAP_SERVER% environment variable value
overrides the server parameter value. If the server parameter is not
specified, and there is no environment variable, the server parameter value
defaults to the specification for the SERVER option specified in the NetBackup
Configuration GUI.

sort_backup_type value

Note: Not applicable in MaxDB database environments or in Oracle database


environments that use RMAN.

This parameter specifies one of four different backup sort parameter values:

custom, device, drive, or size (default).

The following sections describe each of these parameters.

sort_backup_type custom

Specifies that a customized sort file be used.

If sort_backup_type custom is specified, also specify the

custom_sort_file parameter with a file path. For more information, see

“custom_sort_file file_path” on page 118.

123
Parameters

sort_backup_type device

Specifies that NetBackup create jobs based on a file’s device ID. Because this
parameter overrides the drives parameter, the number of storage units
specified in the intSID.utl file is not used.
For example, if there are 12 files requested for backup, and they reside on two
different devices (X and Y), then two jobs are forked. The first job contains all the
files associated with device X, and the second job contains all the files on device
Y. The following example shows how jobs are created when device is specified:
■ Input file list from SAP (brbackup, sapdba):
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\clud_1\clud.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\ddicd_1\ddicd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata5\ddici_1\ddici.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\el30cd_1\EL30cd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\el30ci_1\el30ci.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata6\es30cd_1\es30cd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\poold_1\poold.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\protd_1\protd.data1

c:\dev\rdsk\c0t4d0s6 11812864

■ Backup job 1 (all have the device ID x):


c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\clud_1\clud.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\ddicd_1\ddicd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata5\ddici_1\ddici.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\el30cd_1\EL30cd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\el30ci_1\el30ci.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata6\es30cd_1\es30cd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\poold_1\poold.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\protd_1\protd.data1

■ Backup job 2 (all have the same device ID y):


c:\dev\rdsk\c0t4d0s6 11812864

Note: The implementation is based on the st_dev value from the stat()
function. This identifies a file partition.

sort_backup_type drive

Specifies that NetBackup create jobs based on the number of simultaneous


backup jobs specified by the drives parameter in the initSID.utl file.
124
Parameters

For example, if there are three tape drives and 10 SAP files, the following
distribution occurs:
■ Input file list from SAP:
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\roll_1\roll.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\sourced_1\sourced.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata3\stabd_1\stabd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\stabi_2\stabi.data2

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\temp_1\temp.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\user1d_1\user1d.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\user1i_1\user1i.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\system_1\system.data1

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g1_m1\log1_m1.dbf

■ Backup and restore job 1:


c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\roll_1\roll.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\stabi_2\stabi.data2

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\user1i_1\user1i.data1

■ Backup and restore job 2:


c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\sourced_1\sourced.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\temp_1\temp.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\system_1\system.data1

■ Backup and restore job 3:


c:\oracle\sap\sapdata3\stabd_1\stabd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\user1d_1\user1d.data1

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g1_m1\log1_m1.dbf

sort_backup_type size (default)

This is the default value for the sort_backup_type parameter.

If sort_backup_type size is specified, NetBackup creates jobs based upon

the number of drives specified in the initSID.utl file. Each file being backed

up is associated with a backup job based on size.

For example, if three tape drives are specified, the files are divided evenly into

three bpbackup jobs based on size. So, if there are 25 input files from SAP and

three tape drives, then three bpbackup jobs would be running at the same

time with the following files in each job:

■ Input file list from SAP (brbackup, sapdba):


c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\clud_1\clud.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\ddicd_1\ddicd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata5\ddici_1\ddici.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\el30cd_1\EL30cd.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\el30ci_1\el30ci.data1
c:\oracle\sap\sapdata6\es30cd_1\es30cd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\poold_1\poold.data1

125
Parameters

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\protd_1\protd.data1

c:\dev\rdsk\c0t4d0s6 11812864

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\roll_1\roll.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\sourced_1\sourced.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata3\stabd_1\stabd.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\stabi_2\stabi.data2

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\temp_1\temp.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\user1d_1\user1d.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\user1i_1\user1i.data1

c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\system_1\system.data1

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g1_m1\log1_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g2_m1\log2_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g3_m1\log3_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g4_m1\log4_m1.dbf

c:\oracle\sap\dbs\cntrlSAP.dbf

■ Backup job 1:
size= 36708352: file \name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\roll_1\roll.data1

size= 10493952: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\temp_1\temp.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\ddicd_1\ddicd.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\el30ci_1\el30ci.data1

size= 5243392: file name=c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g4_m1\log4_m1.dbf

Total=62947840

■ Backup job 2:
size= 15736832: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\system_1\system.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\btabi_1\btabi.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata5\ddici_1\ddici.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata6\es30cd_1\es30cd.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\poold_1\poold.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata3\stabd_1\stabd.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\pooli_1\pooli.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\user1i_1\user1i.data1

size= 5243392: file name=c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g1_m1\log1_m1.dbf

size= 231936: file name=c:\oracle\sap\dbs\cntrlSAP.dbf

Total=57969664

■ Backup job 3:
size= 11812864: file name=c:\dev\rdsk\c0t4d0s6

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\clud_1\clud.data

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\el30cd_1\EL30cd.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\protd_1\protd.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\sourced_1\sourced.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata2\stabi_2\stabi.data2

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata4\user1d_1\user1d.data1

size= 5251072: file name=c:\oracle\sap\sapdata1\btabd_1\btabd.data1

size= 5243392: file name=c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g2_m1\log2_m1.dbf

size= 5243392: file name=c:\oracle\sap\saplog1\log_g3_m1\log3_m1.dbf

Total=59057152

The number of drives specified does not have to equal the number of physical
storage units. The number of drives correlates to the number of simultaneous
126
Parameters

bpbackup jobs run by the NetBackup for SAP backint interface. For example,
if you have 10 SAP files and three tape drives, you can specify 10 drives in the
initSID.utl file. This creates 10 bpbackup jobs with one file for each
bpbackup job. Netbackup handles all of the job scheduling. Initially, three
bpbackup jobs are active and the other seven jobs are queued. You can increase
the number of active jobs and data throughput by increasing the multiplex value
for the policy.

switch_list control_file_path

Note: Not applicable in MaxDB database environments or in Oracle database


environments that use RMAN.

This parameter specifies a control file that communicates between the


NetBackup for SAP backint interface and brbackup for online backups. A
switch list file is created every time brbackup wants to back up a file or when it
wants to indicate that a backup is finished.
The switch_list parameter must specify a file path in the following location:
%SAPDATA_HOME%\sapbackup\.switch.lis
The following is an example of a valid entry:
switch_list F:\oracle\SID\SAPBackup\.switch.lis

switch_log control_file_path

Note: Not applicable in MaxDB database environments or in Oracle database


environments that use RMAN.

This parameter specifies a control file that communicates between the


NetBackup for SAP backint interface and brbackup. After the switch
semaphore file has been deleted, the NetBackup for SAP backint interface
opens and reads the switch log file, created by brbackup, to determine if the
process is successful.
The switch_log parameter must specify a file path in the following location:
%SAPDATA_HOME%\sapbackup\.switch.log
The following is an example of a valid entry:
switch_list F:\oracle\SID\SAPBackup\.switch.log

127
Parameters

switch_sem control_file_path

Note: Not applicable in MaxDB database environments or in Oracle database


environments that use RMAN.

This parameter specifies a control file that communicates between the


NetBackup for SAP backint interface and brbackup. After the switch list file
has been created and closed, the NetBackup for SAP backint interface creates
the switch semaphore file and waits until it is deleted by brbackup.
The switch_sem parameter must specify a file path in the following location:
%SAPDATA_HOME%\sapbackup\.switch.sem
The following is an example of a valid entry:
switch_list F:\oracle\SID\SAPBackup\.switch.sem

128

Parameters
Appendix G
Using NetBackup for SAP
to back up SAPDB
This chapter includes the following topics:
■ “Creating backup environment configuration files” on page 130
■ “Defining a backup medium in SAPDB” on page 133
■ “Performing a backup” on page 133
■ “Performing a restore” on page 134
You can use NetBackup for SAP to back up the SAPDB RDBMS. SAPDB relies on
an additional adapter program to communicate with NetBackup for SAP. The
adapter program is part of the SAPDB distribution. To back up the SAPDB
RDBMS, perform the additional configuration tasks that this appendix
describes.
Follow the NetBackup for SAP directions in “Configuration” on page 25 to create
a policy for SAPDB backups, and then follow the directions in this appendix to
perform the extra configuration steps.

Note: As of NetBackup for SAP release 6.0, Symantec does not recommend using
the information in this appendix to create backups. Use the newer procedures
for backing up and restoring database files that are described in the main
sections of this manual.
However, if you have backups that were created with a NetBackup for SAP
software release prior to 6.0, follow the procedure in “Performing a restore” on
page 134 to restore those files.
130
Creating backup environment configuration files

Creating backup environment configuration files

In order to configure the backup environment to use NetBackup for SAP to back
up SAPDB, you create the following files on the NetBackup for SAP (SAPDB)
client:
■ The backint for SAPDB configuration file.
■ The adapter program configuration file.
■ The NetBackup for SAP configuration file, initSID.utl.

backint for SAPDB configuration file


The backint for SAPDB configuration file provides information about the
adapter program to SAPDB. Set the BSI_ENV environment variable to point to
the name and location of this file. The configuration file can contain the
following parameters:

Parameter Description

BACKINT absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and name of the


backint program.

INPUT absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and name of the


standard input file.

OUTPUT absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and name of the


standard output file.

ERROROUTPUT absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and name of the


standard error output file.

PARAMETERFILE absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and name of the


configuration file of the backint
for SAPDB program.

TIMEOUT_SUCCESS number Time, in seconds, that the database


manager waits for the end of a
started backint for SAPDB
process if the action is successful.
Optional.

TIMEOUT_FAILURE number Time, in seconds, that the database


manager waits for the end of a
started backint for SAPDB
process if errors occur. Optional.

ORIGINAL_RUNDIRECTORY absolute_path Absolute path to the run directory


of the source database. Optional.
131
Creating backup environment configuration files

For a detailed description of these parameters, see the SAPDB documentation,

available on www.sapdb.org.

The following is an example of a backint for SAPDB configuration file with the

minimum configuration specified:

BACKINT C:\sapdb\depend\bin\backint

INPUT C:\sapdb\logs\backint.in

OUTPUT C:\sapdb\logs\backint.out

ERROROUTPUT C:\sapdb\logs\backint.err

PARAMETERFILE C:\sapdb\indep_data\wrk\adapter.config

The PARAMETERFILE specifies the name and location of the adapter program
configuration file described in “Adapter program configuration file” on
page 131.

Adapter program configuration file


The configuration file for the adapter program specifies to the adapter program
the location of the NetBackup for SAP (backint for Oracle) software. It also
specifies parameters to use when communicating with NetBackup for SAP.
Specify the name and location of the adapter program configuration file as the
argument to PARAMETERFILE in the backint for SAPDB configuration file. For
information on the SAPDB configuration file, see “backint for SAPDB
configuration file” on page 130.
You can include the following parameters in the adapter program file:

Parameter Description

STAGING AREA: absolute_path\file_name size [KB|MB|GB] Absolute path and


size of a temporary
file.

FILES PER BACKINT CALL: number Maximum number of


temporary files that
are to be processed
by backint for
Oracle concurrently.
Optional.

BACKINT: absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and


name of the
backint for Oracle
program.
132
Creating backup environment configuration files

Parameter Description

PARAMETERFILE OF BACKINT: absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and


name of the
configuration file for
the backint for
Oracle program.

HISTORY FILE: absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and


name of the backup
history file.

INPUTFILE FOR BACKINT: absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and


name of the
standard input file.

OUTPUT FILE FOR BACKINT: absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and


name of the
standard output file.

ERRORFILE FOR BACKINT: absolute_path\file_name Absolute path and


name of the
standard error
output file.

MAXIMAL DELAY OF BACKINT CALL: number Maximum waiting


time, in seconds,
between creating a
temporary file and
starting to save it by
using backint for
Oracle. Optional.

OMIT LAST DIRECTORY DELIMITER ON RESTORE: YES | NO Specifies whether


the SAPDB adapter
program ignores the
closing slash (\) of an
absolute directory
name for backint
for Oracle. Optional.

BI_CALLER_VALUE: value Value of the


BI_CALLER
environment
variable. Optional.

For a detailed description of these parameters, see the SAPDB documentation, at

www.sapdb.org.

The following is an example of a file with the minimum configuration specified:

133
Defining a backup medium in SAPDB

BACKINT: C:\Program Files\VERITAS\NetBackup\bin\backint

PARAMETERFILE OF BACKINT: C:\sapdb\data\wrk\initSAP.utl

HISTORY FILE: C:\sapdb\logs\BackintHistory.log

INPUTFILE FOR BACKINT: C:\sapdb\logs\backintOracle.in

OUTPUTFILE FOR BACKINT: C:\sapdb\logs\backintOracle.out

ERRORFILE FOR BACKINT: C:\sapdb\logs\backintOracle.err

NetBackup for SAP configuration file, initSID.utl


The initSID.utl file includes the NetBackup for SAP parameters.This file is
the NetBackup for SAP configuration file, and it is named on the argument to
the PARAMETERFILE OF BACKINT parameter, described in “Adapter program
configuration file” on page 131.
For more information, see “Modifying the initSID.utl file” on page 42.

Defining a backup medium in SAPDB


Prior to running a backup, create at least one backup medium per backup type
(complete, incremental) in SAPDB. When using backint for Oracle, the name of
the backup medium created must begin with BACK. The type of backup medium
must be PIPE.

To create a backup medium


1 Enter command mode.

For example:

dbmcli -d MYSAP -u dbm,dbm

2 Create the backup medium.

For example:

dbmcli on MYSAP>medium_put BACKORA \\.\pipe\MYSAP PIPE DATA 0 8

Performing a backup
When backing up SAPDB, include the backup medium you created. The example
in “Defining a backup medium in SAPDB” on page 133 created a backup medium
called BACKORA. The example in this section uses that sample backup medium.

To run a backup
1 Initiate a utility session.

For example:

dbmcli on MYSAP>util_connect

2 Initiate the backup.


134
Performing a restore

For example:
dbmcli on MYSAP>backup_start BACKORA DATA

You can also start the backup from the DBM GUI. For more information
about the DBM GUI and configuring external backup tools, refer to the
SAPDB documentation at www.sapdb.org.

Performing a restore
Use the following procedure to restore files.

To perform a restore
◆ Enter the following commands:
dbmcli> backup_ext_ids_get BACK

OK

dbmcli> backup_ext_ids_list

OK

END

list of EBIDS

dbmcli> recover_start BACKORA ExternalBackupId "EBID"

where EBID is the backup identifier. This information is returned in the

list of EBIDS when you perform a query.

Appendix H
Configuring split mirror
backups
This appendix includes the following topics:
■ “Local-host snapshot method: VxVM (Solaris SPARC, HP-UX, Windows
2000/2003)” on page 135
■ “Local-host snapshot method: VSS (Windows 2003 only)” on page 136
■ “Offhost alternate client: flashsnap method” on page 136
This appendix describes how to configure split mirror backups by using
NetBackup for SAP. Some of the configuration methods are platform-specific.

Local-host snapshot method: VxVM (Solaris SPARC,


HP-UX, Windows 2000/2003)
The following sections describe requirements and configuration methods.

Requirements
Install and configure the following on the production database host:
■ Install NetBackup Client, NetBackup Snapshot Client, and NetBackup for
SAP agent
■ Configure the production database (Oracle)
■ You can install NetBackup master server on a separate host

Configuration
Use the following procedure to configure.
136
Local-host snapshot method: VSS (Windows 2003 only)

To configure the local host snapshot method


1 Attach the external disk D1 to the primary client (production database host)
and create a VM disk group using the following command:
root@primary# vxdg init diskgroup [cds=on|off] diskname=devicename

2 Create a volume in primary disk D using the following command:


root@primary# vxassist -g diskgroup make volume size

3 Add a DCO log to the volume using the following command:


root@primary# vxassist -g diskgroup addlog volume logtype=dco

4 Enable FastResync on the volume using the following command:


root@primary# vxvol -g diskgroup set fastresync=on volume

5 Create a VxFS file system on this volume and mount it using the following
commands:
root@primary# mkfs -F vxfs /dev/vx/rdsk/diskgroup/volume

root@primary# mount -F vxfs /dev/vx/dsk/diskgroup/volume mnt

6 Create the SAP production database on this volume.


7 Start the snapshot for the data volume in the primary client using the
following command:
root@primary# vxassist -g diskgroup -b snapstart volume

Local-host snapshot method: VSS (Windows 2003


only)
Ensure that the Windows service “Volume Shadow Copy” is started on the
production host.

Offhost alternate client: flashsnap method


Figure H-1 on page 137 shows a typical configuration.
137
Offhost alternate client: flashsnap method

Figure H-1 Typical SAP split mirror offhost backup using flashsnap

Production database host Alternate client offhost

Snapshot Automatic
tape
changer
Oracle
database Mirror disk

Primary disk

Backup media

Requirements
Install and configure the following on the production database host:
■ Install NetBackup Client, NetBackup Snapshot Client, and the NetBackup
for SAP agent
■ Configure the production database (Oracle)
■ You can install the NetBackup master server on a separate host
Install the following on the alternate client (offhost):
■ Install NetBackup Client and NetBackup Snapshot Client. The NetBackup
for SAP Agent is not required.
■ The NetBackup master server. You can install this on the same host or on
separate host to which backup media will be attached.
■ User and group identification numbers (UIDs and GIDs) associated with the
files to be backed up must be available on the alternate backup client.

Configuration
Use the following procedure to configure.
138
Offhost alternate client: flashsnap method

To configure the local host snapshot method


1 Attach the external disk D1 to the primary client (production database host)
and create a VM disk group using the following command:
root@primary# vxdg init diskgroup [cds=on|off] diskname=devicename

2 Create a volume in primary disk D using the following command:


root@primary# vxassist -g diskgroup make volume size

3 Add a DCO log to the volume using the following command:


root@primary# vxassist -g diskgroup addlog volume logtype=dco

4 Enable FastResync on the volume using the following command:


root@primary# vxvol -g diskgroup set fastresync=on volume

5 Create a VxFS file system on this volume and mount it using the following
commands:
root@primary# mkfs -F vxfs /dev/vx/rdsk/diskgroup/volume

root@primary# mount -F vxfs /dev/vx/dsk/diskgroup/volume mnt

6 Create the SAP production database on this volume.


7 Connect the external mirror disk D2 to the primary client and the alternate
client, so the disk is accessible to both hosts.
8 Start the snapshot for the data volume in the primary client using the
following command:
root@primary# vxassist -g diskgroup -b snapstart volume

Based on this flashsnap configuration, the typical flow during the Snapshot
Client backup for SAP is as follows:
1 The database shuts down or the tablespaces are put in backup mode in the
production host.
2 The alternate client offhost takes the snapshot of the production database
from primary disk D1 to mirror disk D2.
3 The production database in primary disk D1 is created online.
4 The mirror disk D2 is split to perform backup from the snapshot to the
backup media.
5 The snapshot from the mirror disk D2 is then joined back to the volume in
primary disk D1.
Appendix I
Differences in NetBackup
for SAP in release 6.x
Support for the following parameters of the initSID.utl file has been
discontinued in NetBackup for SAP since release 6.0.

policy_log, sched_log, and second_secondary_archive.


These parameters were used to specify a policy, schedule, and for a flag for
creating a second backup copy of an archive log. Refer to the alternate methods
for performing a second backup of an archive log. See “Performing an archive”
on page 56.

fail_backup
This parameter was used to stop the backup process immediately when an error
occurred.

check_directory_flag
This parameter was used to allow a directory backup. If a directory was
encountered, NetBackup for SAP flagged an error and stopped the backup.
Support for this parameter was removed to comply with SAP certification
requirements.
140 Differences in NetBackup for SAP in release 6.x
Index

A backups
also see automatic backup
alternate client restore

automatic (configuring scripts) 37

see redirected restore

manual 48

Application Backup schedule

offline 53

backup window 30

online 56

configuring 29

output file contents 109

overview 29, 31

pre-6.0 133

retention 30

scripts for backup operations 37

archives, creating 56

when using MaxDB 92

automatic backup

BID

create scripts 37

generation process 52

schedule

returned on backup 109

manual backup

bp.conf

schedules, configuring 30

repository for script parameters 113

Automatic Full Backup schedule 31

bphdb

with Snapshot Client 81

log 99

Automatic Incremental Backup schedule 31

role in backups and restores 15

role in offline backups 36

B brarchive command

backint interface
example script 36

command line 104


installation directory 24

defined 103
overview 14, 18

input file 107


using 56

linking with NetBackup for SAP 24


brbackup command

parameter file 105


backint parameter file 126

restore process 58
example script 36

role in backup process 52


install directory 24

sequence of operation 15
multiplexing 26

technical overview 14
overview 14, 18

theory of operation 103


sequence of operation 15

BACKINT parameter 46
use in online backup 56

Backup ID
using to start a backup 52

see BID
using without sapdba 56

backup medium
brconnect command 24

configuring 92
brrestore command

defined 91
installation directory 24

Backup Selections list


overview 14, 18

adding selections 35
using 58

overview 34
brtools command 24

backup_dev_type parameter 44
bsi.env file

backup_stream_buffersize parameter 117


overview 41

142

parameters 46
I

procedure for modifying 45

initSID.sap file

Oracle substitution characters 44

C procedure for modifying 43

changing user authentication 40


script parameters 39

client parameter 42, 117


initSID.utl file
client read timeout property 102
effect on Maximum Jobs per Client
commands
parameter 26

backint 104
Oracle substitution characters 43

brarchive 14, 18, 24, 36, 56


overview 41

brbackup 14, 15, 18, 24, 26, 36, 56


parameter summary 115

brconnect 24
procedure for modifying 42

brrestore 14, 18, 24, 58


script parameters 39

brtools 24
specifying a schedule name in 30

export 36
INPUT parameter 46

sapdba 24
inquiry_query_period parameter 120

stopsap R3 53
installation

compatibility information 21
database software prerequsites 22

configuration
platform compatibility 21

database debug level 97


prerequisites 21

database user authentication 40


prerequisites in a cluster 23

Media Manager 22
registering the license key 23

custom_sort_file parameter 118


requirements for NetBackup software 22

D J
daemons, see processes
Java interface 26

database software prerequisites for installation 22

database user authentication


L
changing 40

license keys, registering 23

debug logs

log files

accessing 99

enabling 98

creating automatically with mklogdir.bat 98

sapdba utility 100

enabling 98

in install_path\NetBackup\logs 98

troubleshooting with log files 98


M
debugging level 97
manual backups, see backups
directory
MaxDB database

repository for commands 24


administrative interface 14

drives parameter 26, 42, 49, 120


backup script 37

bsi.env file 41

E configuration 91

configuration files 41

environment variables 40, 112

SAP parameter file 41

ERROROUTPUT parameter 46

technical overview 13, 19

export command 36

terminology 11

maximum jobs per client 26

F Media Manager

FlashSnap snapshots 85
configuring backup media 22

143

media, defined 91
custom_sort_file 118

medium, defined 91
drives 26, 42, 49, 120

multiple copies feature 33


ERROROUTPUT 46

multiplexing
INPUT 46

overview 12
inquiry_query_period 120

testing multiple drives 49


ORIGINAL_RUNDIRECTORY 48

with MaxDB 94
OUTPUT 46

PARAMETERFILE 46

N policy 42, 120

policy2 121

nbjm scheduling process 99


restore_stream_buffersize 121

nbpem scheduling process 99


retry_backup 121

nbrb scheduling process 99


rman_parms 44

NetBackup Client service 40


schedule 42, 121

NetBackup Configuration GUI


schedule2 122

repository for script parameters 39


server 42, 122

sort_backup_type 122

O switch_list 42, 126

offline backups 53
switch_log 42, 126

online backups 56
switch_sem 42, 127

Oracle database
TIMEOUT_FAILURE 47

configuration files 41
TIMEOUT_SUCCESS 47

initSID.sap file 41
util_par_file 41, 44

SAP parameter file 41


platform compatibility 21

SAP profile file 41


point in time rollback 84

SAP tools support 11


policy configuration

substitution characters 43, 44


adding clients 34

technical overview 13, 15


attributes 28

with RMAN
backup selections list 34

backup script 37
for databases 27

technical overview 16
for Snapshot Client 82

without RMAN
overview 27

backup script 36
schedules 28

copying the Netbackup for SAP binary 24


testing 48

technical overview 16
policy parameter 42, 120

ORIGINAL_RUNDIRECTORY parameter 48
policy2 parameter 121

OUTPUT parameter 46
processes

bphdb 36

log files for NetBackup processes 99

P scheduling (nbpem, nbjm, nbrb) 99

parameter file

initSID.sap 39

initSID.utl 39

R
PARAMETERFILE parameter 46
recovery manager, see Oracle database

parameters
redirected restore 58

BACKINT 46
remote folder button 36

backup_dev_type 44
reports

backup_stream_buffersize 117
All Log Entries report 100

client 42, 117


NetBackup server reports 100

reports See also log files

144

restore_stream_buffersize parameter 121 retention 33

restores types of schedules 28

output file contents 109


scripts

pre-6.0 134
backup 37

snapshot rollback 84
examples 36

using sapdba 58
restore 37

with MaxDB 94
type of operation 37

with Oracle 58
usage caution 37

with Snapshot Client methods 84, 86


server parameter 42, 122

retention period
snapshot backup 80, 81, 84

for frequency-based schedules 33


Snapshot Client

retry_backup parameter 121


configuring policies 81

RMAN
instant recovery

see Oracle database


configuration requirements 80

rman_parms parameter 44
policy configuration 81

robust logging 99
restore method 84

offhost backup

S configuration 80

configuring 83

SAP DB database snapshot backup

backing up and restoring 129


configuration 80

pre-6.0 backups and restores 129


configuration requirements 80

terminology 11
database objects included 81

SAP tools, see sapdba


policy configuration 81

SAP_CLIENT environment variable 111


restore method 84

SAP_DRIVES environment variable 111


snapshot rollback 84

sap_maxdb_backup script 37
sort_backup_type parameter 122

sap_offline_backup script 36
switch_list parameter 42, 126

sap_online_backup script 36
switch_log parameter 42, 126

SAP_POLICY environment variable 111


switch_sem parameter 42, 127

sap_redo_log script 36

sap_rman_backup script 37

SAP_SCHED environment variable 112


T
SAP_SERVER environment variable 112
testing policy configuration 48

sapdba
timeout failures, minimizing 101

backup process 53
TIMEOUT_FAILURE parameter 47

command 24
TIMEOUT_SUCCESS parameter 47

databases that sapdba supports 11

defined 18

examples 53

U
offline backup 53
unified logging 99

restore process 58
utl_par_file parameter 41

technical overview 14
utl_par_file parameters 44

utility log 100

schedule parameter 42, 121


V

schedule2 parameter 122


vxvm snapshot 85

schedules

adding 28

frequency 32
W
properties 32
Windows interface 26

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